Who wants to help?....

[JScullin]

I'm buying a slightly used Coil Pack and some stock wires off a member to try and cheaply resolve my CEL for misfiring. Also try to get some lost power back by cleaning my UIM out (57k on it). Since removing the UIM will help in removing the Coil Pack anyway, 2 with 1 stone. If I can swing it I'd like to put Ford Racing wires in there anyway, the Jacobs Ignition kit throws a strong punch.

I don't have the proper tools for this job, or the know-how. But I do have the driveway. If anyone could give me a hand (I can go to you too) it would be greatly appreciated. Most I could do for you is buy ya lunch or something for now :) A bonus is we can photograph this for a very useful How-To for others.

Any takers?

[JScullin]

:(

[vodfan]

if i knew how to i would... but i have no clue bout that.

[eurocrisp]

so, wait. Youve got a Jacobs ignition coil you need to wire up?

THAT i dont know about, but I can only assume replacing the coil pack and wires isn't hard. If you can put on an intake & swap out yr brake pads you can probly figure out what your doing under the hood.... The UIM is apparantly easy to remove. Wouldn't hurt to put new plugs in, too. Dunno if you'd want to drive 1.5 hours down just to do this stuff, but i'm available from time to time :)

Mebbe we could make a little mass/conn outdoor grille action mod meet out of it. Ive got tools & can make garage space. How bad are you misfiring? i dont think im available for a week and a half or so.

[JScullin]

The Jacobs is already in. I need to replace the stock coil pack & plug wires (plugs are new). I figure if we remove the UIM I could clean it and it would make the coilpack easier to get to. But to put the UIM back on don't you need a torque wrench?

My missfires range from slight bucking to the actual pop you get out of the exhaust when letting off the gas. I can wait, it will give me a chance to save up for the Ford Racing plugs (may as well put good ones in while in there).

Thanks.

[eurocrisp]

All my experience with aftermarket multiple spark units and hotter coils and stuff have always yielded minimal gains, and then a rapid decline in reliability... Tho my experience has only been with older british cars, a neat modded '87 volvo 740 turbo and an early 80's audi... but returning the ignition system to stock and using NGK plugs has always fixed whatever the problem was. Ive got 2 units made by MSD downstairs, removed from other cars... i dont even know what they do but they look like the $300 things you can get from Summit.

My humble suggestion is to remove the Jacobs, but thats just me. Someone else should comment with their experience.

Ill let u know when a good time frame is gonna come around if youre still up for it by then.

edit: Not only do you need a torque wrench (which ive got 2 of), but you need to remove/retorque the UIM bolts in a specific pattern for a proper seal.

[DNNYBOY33]

I was looking into doing something to the ignition and cleaning the UIM would be nice as well. Do you think we could set up a mod meet? Where did you find the jacobs ignition? Did you feel any difference? I'm looking to do a kick a** tune up and I wanted to beef up the ignition.

[JScullin]

Neil, the Jacobs originally caused the problem. This was weeks after installing it (new plugs, regapped to Jacobs specs). I returned it to the stock setup (simply swapping Jacobs plug for stock, easy) this fixed it. Fast forward a month or so and the problem comes back again on the stock setup. I now have the Jacobs back in and it has solved the bucking/missfire problem, but I still have a CEL.. To my knowledge there isn't an aftermarket Coil Pack for our cars, so my first line of defense would be the stronger plug wires I would think. When it gets too bad I reset my ECU and everything works good for another month. Only now did I have the money to get the coil pack off a member.

DNNYBOY33, the Jacobs worked incredibly well the first week I had it in. I definitely felt more response in the low end (less ATX bog) which is why I wanted it. But I think the stronger current it was sending ruined something, so now my car doesn't run good at all because of the missfire. So if any of this works in solving my problem I'll recommend the Jacobs, but with some caution.

[Fly-Fast]

Jon, I'll help if you want man. I know next to nothing about ignitions, but I'm sure with a manual we can figure it out...

[JScullin]

Anyone who helps out...free copies of the 1999-2000 Ford Service CD for all! :)

Yea, unless it's a straightforward removal I figured we'd resort to the CD.

[uRiDiAN]

i've found that a torque wrench really isn't too necessary with the UIM... it's only like, 15Nm, which is only what, 11ft/lbs? just torque it to kinda tight. there is an order though... the tech CD has that, though.

i would be more than willing to help, but if it's within the next week or so, i can't stray very far from home... the 3.0 should have it's first start tomorrow, and if it actually starts, i wanna put at least 250 miles on it around town. so either come down the southeast CT or wait until i can drive my car long distances and i'm game

it's actually quite easy, and i'm sure you could more than handle it on your own with about $20 in tools that you don't already have, but i wouldn't mind an excuse to chill... :)

[MercMobile]

Uri is right about the amount of tq required to put the UIM back on. It doesn't take much.

As for the tools.. your best bet is someplace like AutoZone or Advance.. most places like that have a free tool rental service.. you leave a deposit and when you bring the tools back they give you the money back.. and most let you keep them for quite a long time.

[155Cougar]

John, I'll be happy to give you a hand this weekend. Send me an email with directions to your place and what time you want to start. That is unless you want to come to my place and fight with the condo-gestapo. :biggrin:

Edit: I have to tools you'll need too...

[Fly-Fast]

isn't mattie the man!!!!!!

[155Cougar]

I know, I rock the house...

[JScullin]

Well, I hope what I explained above fixes my problem. Otherwise I'm gonna have to add a Fuel Pump as another project :( . This will be my 4th one, I have no power what-so-ever above 3k when I floor it.


Please, someone make it stop...

[JScullin]

9mm Ford Racing wires are on their way.

I figure even if they end up being cosmetic (blue eee!) at least I put in new wires while in there.

EDIT:

Well, car wouldn't start on the Jacobs today so I'm back to the stock. It's bucking pretty bad on it too. Tried resetting the ECU but no luck.

...comon' new parts!

[SassyCat2002]

Oh man John, so sorry to hear about your kitties illness. Hope all works out for ya.


Sassy:evil:

[JScullin]

But I still love her :)

As much trouble as I've got I still want to keep it.

[DNNYBOY33]

you should go back to stock before you do irrepairable damage to your ignition system or even your engine...