3.0 CIS help please
 

Hey guys. My 3.0 was running a little rough so I installed a new fuel filter, distributer cap, rotor, magnacore 8.5 mm wires, and NGK BP7ES plugs. After reading a few threads, I decided to gap the plugs at .37.
Now I start the car and it runs like crap, it will barely idle and it backfires when I give it gas.
Do you think the gaps are too big? Im positive the firing order is correct and all the wires are installed on each plug.
Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

A larger gap I believe is only good with a MSD ignition. Any problems with the 8.5mm wires seating in the distributer cap? I friend used 8mm wires in a mustang years ago with a 7mm cap and it caused big problems.

im sure you have checked but is the firing order correct? :D

check and see if ya may have created any vacume leaks while messing around.

Try a gap of .7mm, .028".

Well I took off the 8.5mm wires and reinstalled my old Clewitt wires and reset my gaps to .031. Its better but still running like crap. I think tomorrow I might reinstall my old plugs and put everything back to the way I had it.

OK, I put another set of the NGK BP7ES plugs and reinstalled the old clewitt wires, I also reinstalled the old cap and rotor and the fuel filter. The old filter was a KL-21 and the new one was a KL-22. I couldnt see any difference between the two. The car still idled like crap and backfired when I gave it gas. SO after listening to it for a bit and letting it get hotter, it didnt sound like it was ignition related. I richened the mixture about 1/2 turn and now its running good( not perfect) like it was before I started this mess.

Can the fuel/air mixture adjust itself? I never touched the mixture before this. Now that everything is back in place originally except the plugs which are new. Can installing new plugs cause my mixture to be off?

Sorry its so long.....

So with this being said, I have a brand new set of Magnacore 8.5mm wires for sale. any offers?

Well I just took it for a test drive and its idling good but its lost horsepower. It doesnt hesitate any but feels like it just doesnt have the power it had before. I think I need to check the timing and mixture again.
Any inputs? Please?
BTW, the #5 plug still has the proginal Bosche in it because the clewitt wire would not hold onto the NGK plugs.

Install an MSD AL6.... it is inexpensive and performs much better and will allow you a lot more room for tuning.

funny I was just looking at the MSD upgrades. Does this get rid of the distributer? Seems to me that the best upgrade I can do is to just replace the engine.

My 911 expert tells me that seasonal weather change will cause such symptoms, i.e. not idling, back fire, etc. I was experiencing the same after replacing the fuel tank (the car was down for about four weeks and the weather changed here) so I "tweaked" the mixture adjusting screw <1/4 turn. It's better now but doesn't really run good until warmed up. He said 1/2 turn is a LOT.

I know 1/2 turn is alot but thats what it took. I went ahead and puchased the MSD ignition and coil. I think I should be able to run the Magnecor 8.5mm wires then. Hope it works!

The mixture probably didn't reset itself. That screw is pretty secure once set.

Your fuel filter possibly could change the mixture if it flows significantly less than the old, but that seems unlikely, unless it is the wrong one.

Are you sure the plugs and gap are correct for your car?

Have you checked your control pressures (WUR) and your O2 sensor?

An MSD will let you use a wider gap. You still need a diz.

MSD upgrade replaces your CD box and coil only. I wasn't having any ignition problems but upgraded to be proactive. I can't say that I've noticed any difference except now I have an electronic limiter. The OEM limiter circuit had been disabled by the PO. I only found this out when I rewired the MSD. I could have revved it to destruction!

Thanks for the help guys. I let it cool down and test drove it agan. Now it has even less power and will barely move when I step on it. It doesnt hesitate, it just wont move!
Im taking it to my mechanic in the morning and probly take it in the wallet as well.

Did you leave the parking brake on?

Hahha sorry, I couldn't resist

You made me look!!
Well I played with the timing and mixture a bit again and now its running pretty good. BUT>>> I pulled out and stepped on it, as I went into second gear, the shifter post popped out of the rod and I was stuck in second gear.
2 days ago, I installed the weltmeister short shift kit. The one that raises the housing 1/2 inch and shortens the post. Well thats a mistake too because it causes the post to not sit properly into the rod coupling.

Get rid of that Welmeister short shift kit, it is a HUGE pile of *****

Get the factory short shirt kit (this is what I use) or a Wevo