1995 Ford Mustang Convertible Other - Engine

Question: My 95 mustang 3.8 was replaced with a used motor. now all the time it will barely even move once the rpms get up to 2500 the car will go but with a severe power loss. it has 65 k on the motor, compression is 160 in every cyl, an off road dual exhaust with flowmasters are installed, every sensor has been replaced along with the fuel injectors and it has a new computer. also i noticed the headers get cherry red and it back fires. even in nuetral the engines rrevs very slowly. the only thing i haven't checked is the timing but it starts up ok, 3 mechanics have not been able to help me, could the motor just jumped time by a tooth or 2? everything is new coil pack, cam sensor, there is no distibutor

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Technican: Hello, What year is the replacement engine? Is it Federal, or California emissions system? Same question for the original engine? This question applies to both the original and the current computer, also. Since the computer controls spark timing its good to get assurance of parts compatability. Are any codes (DTCs) set? What is your fuel pressure? Is the fuel filter restricted? Are the fuel lines free from kinks? Has exhaust back pressure been evaluated? Does this engine use the same type EGR Valve (positive vs. negative pressure) as the original engine? Trying to think with you,

Owner: both engines are 1995 with federal emissions, the original computer was replaced by ford for my exact car.fuel pressure is 34 psi, fuel filter was replaced feul lines are ok back pressure is fine on the new exhaust and the egr is the same. there appears to be no slop in the timing chain but the car i got the motr from was in a pretty good accident i'm thinking it jumped a tooth or 2. what else could make my car backfire and headers become cherry red?

Technican: I'm looking into this further for you. Do you have after market headers installed? What RPM do the headers glow red? (Usually cause by unburned rich fuel mix) Backfire may be caused by a vacuum leak, or timing as you suspect. With no known slack in the timing chain I don't think it has jumped on the timing gears. Only visual inspection could verify mechanical timing. Your compression is so good I'm lookng elsewhere for an answer. Back soon. Thank you for such careful attention to answering my questions...most clients are not so dedicated. Respectfully,

Owner: No I have kept the stock short headers on, the glowing red is after sustained rpms of 2000 or better, the vaccuum line have been check there was a few that were leaking but they were replaced. tahnx for your persisstance in helping, the car has been at 3 garages including the for dealer and I have been a back yard mechanic for a good many years so i know quite a bit about it. as of yet noone has checked the timing chain itself.so i will be doing that.

Technican: I'm wondering...have you monitored the Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor operation with a scanner (not a code reader) to see how it is performing? Have you inspected the MAF inlet screen for obstruction? Are the air duct hose clamps for air intake to the throttle body in place and tight? All air intake must pass through the MAF or fuel will be too rich. Any holes in the duct or loose clamps will allow "unmetered air" to enter the intake. Unmetered air causes O2 Sensors to report lean fuel/air ratio to the PCM and the PCM will call for more fuel trying to get things in balance. Did Ford make sure your computer's EPROM programming is the latest update? (This is called "Flashing the Prom" when installing a newer update from Ford.) Did you find the mechanical timing to be correct? Still with you,

Owner: the timing was correct with the timing chain and gears, I found the problem while putting it back together, the hormonic balancer key was about 1" wide! someone either replaced the balancer just to get it running or put a wrong one on.I took one from one of my old mustang motors and it started right up and has great power!!! It must have thrown the crank sensor way off!! thanks for helping and I appreciate all of your info!! take care!!

Technican: How excellent for you to share with me what you found. Great job! Thanks alot,

Technican: Hi, would you like to close this question? Please advise.

Technican: Please, update the status of your question. I want to help.

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