I need some help here guys. my car is running very rough and i dont know what to try next.
i swapped the 88 gt engine with an 89 i had. I will list all the things i did before and after the swap so you guys have an idea of whats goin on.

Before swap:
Car was converted to mass air with a mass air harness and meter i had. I changed the pins in the harness and used my 89 computer. The car ran fine after this until the motor blew.

During swap:
I removed the smog pump and the a/c systems while the engine was out of the car.

After swap:
The car starts, but idles kind of rough, and drives extremely rough. It barely wants to accelerate. It feels like something in the ignition is not firing right, but everything seems to be in order.

Anyone have an idea of something i could have done wrong when i put the motor in? Like maybe a ground or vacuum or connection i forgot somewhere? Any info helps because i am stumped.
Thanks

 

you sure the timing is correct?

 

have you checked timing?

 

touche

 

I would first guess vacuum issues or timing.

was this a stock block swapp,same upper intake etc or? and did u drop the dizzy in for the timing and TDC or was it already in and tight before the swap? was it pulled from another stang and you heard it running? more info on this engine swap may help your results in getting replys on everyones thoughts to this issue.

let us know more about the engine swap it is completly stock including upper/lower intake? fuel injectors, TB size, mass air sensor/C&L? or stock? if stock upper intake /block are all vacums hooked up, any plugged or not hooked up.

 

yes i have probably spent the most time messin with the timing. I put it at the stock 10. and still the same. so i thought maybe i have the wires on wrong. so i moved them all over so that number one cylinder was on the 1 on the cap. then put the timing back to ten. it idled a lil better but still drove like crap.

 

the motor i put in came out of my wrecked 89. it is stock except for a k&n and long tubes. im pretty sure i have all the vacuums on. the only ones i really had to take off were the three in the back of the intake. and no the distributor was never removed and yes the engine used to run fine. it sat for a while but it fired no problem when i used it again, just doesnt run right.

ohh and it has bosch platinum 4's and new O2 sensors.

 

I still think vaccum issue or timing. I'de get a timing light back on that thing. check for vaccum leaks maybe. had buddys of mine find some with gas torch non lit of course and gas on and will cause your idle to jump if leak found.

hows the fuel in this thing? old in tank or new? was fuel filter changed also? can or have you thrown a ford code reader into the diag port under hood on driver side front near brake fuild I belive and see if she is reading any codes.

new cap and rotor? old one could be marked up on cap and rotor sometimes can get build up causing for a ruff idle and ****ty pick up. buy replacement or to save time check cap and rotor also and if marked up lightly sand the marks/build up on both etc.
hows your plug wires also? is she back fireing threw exhaust or upper intake?

keep the details coming your sure to get this thing going man. I had major issues when doing engine swap and had issues firing too. so many things to look for and 98% of the time i seen is timing or vaccum. but things above are things to look for. plugs/wires/cap/rotor/timing/vaccums/fuel old or new?/firing order/

 

if you remved the smog pump unplug the vacuum tube from the egr.

 

did you remove the smog tubes running to the back of the heads? how about the ones on the passenger side?