Time to give up? Or something simple?

[Smokestacklightnin]

Ok, I've been sucessful with my CFI until this week. My car has developed an annoing quirck to it. At a constant speed the car has, started bucking as if the engine is trying to cut off. It has done this in the past, but never this bad or peristent. When I floor it, it stops and the car runs like a spotted ape. It used to do this a lower speeds but now is doing it at higher speeds. It also stalls sometimes when i come to a stop, and the idle rpm bounces in neutral almost 300 rpm. It tried to stall on me once, and i switched into neutral and revved the engine but i could fill it stubling as i tried to maintain rpms. Any ideas or suggestions are welcome. Most of the sensors and fuel system are original. Is it time to give up on the 25yr old cfi system?

[1987cp]

I've got a Motorcraft 2150 that will work wonders for you after a quick rebuild.

[85crownHPP]

mine acted funny like that until I changed the TPS... then it only acted a little funny.

[Lincolnmania]

first check vacuum readings

[gadget73]

Vacuum leaks, or maybe a bad pickup in the distributor. Slop in the timing chain will do this too. Have you changed the fuel filter or pulled codes? That may also tell you something useful. Check the wiring at the relays on the driver's side fender nearish the brake master cylinder as well. If the plug is falling apart, you'll lose fuel or ECM power intermittantly.

[grandpaslincoln]

Another thing to check. There is a harness running behind your distributor, I think it's the main power from the alt to the battery and one other wire, a factory wire crimp wore through the other wire and they were shorting each other out, causing the engine to buck and die randomly at stoplights. I eventually found that and fixed it. Unfortunately, I only found it after I did the 2bbl swap. I could have saved a lot of time and money if I had found that.

[Smokestacklightnin]

Thanks for the ideas, I will start trying to track the problem down, and get back with what I find out.

[Smokestacklightnin]

Problem solved!! Started the engine then went tracing around the wiring and harnesses inspecting wires and jiggling connections. Bad connection at TPS harness. When i jiggled the connection (lots of jiggling you'd think it was a titty bar LOL) the engine would die. I had broken the top clip of the connection of almost a year and half ago when i replaced intake manifold gaskets. The conncection would start to come apart interupting the signal, plus the connection inside was loose. This would explain why it acted up worse on rough roads. I removed both sides of the connection and replaced them with bullet connectors. Took the car around town and rough roads not even a hiccup! Next time if i break a clip i wil know to secure it by some means!

[85crownHPP]

hhmmmm.... this makes me wanna take another look at the TPS connector on my new toy...