Hi all,

I have an '89 745T with a '90 5.0 HO and AOD.
Both car and engine have apx 300k on 'em.
The engine is stock, w/ dual exhaust from an '03 SVT Cobra ( four little cats ). I failed emissions for the first time since the conversion in 2005 and I figured this would be a good time for a comprehensive tune up.
She's a backup/daily driver I sometimes use for business travel. No drivability issues at present, it's just that most of the tune up items under the hood all have about 60k miles on them...I'd like to get better than stock parts where possible w/o going overboard.I have a couple of questions for you:
1. Have I left anything out of this list ?
Wires/plugs/rotor
EGR valve (it's original)
Fuel/air filters ( fuel pump replaced recently)
Fluids/filters including rear end and AOD
2. Considering the mileage, I was thinking of replacing the coil/distributor,ect.,along with the plugs/wires. What type do you recommend ? I'm currently considering MSD components. Any other advice on any best parts to use and timing/ tuning issues would be appreciated.
3. I believe the injectors are the originals. I've always used 91-93 octane, and I run Techron through them every so often. Can I have them cleaned/rebuilt or would it be best to replace them ?
4. Depending on the numbers, I'm tempted to get some shorty headers. Is there a specific type/brand that works best with a 5.0 in a 740 ?
5. Bonus question: The AOD works fine, but there's always been a "clunk" sound that can be felt when it shifts into OD. My wife brought it up- I'd learned to live with it since you can eliminate it with just the right amount of throttle. I was told by a transmission shop that " they all do that" which is obviously not true, since I've driven more than several that don't do this. I asume the issue is with the trans- it's done this with the stock 2 piece driveshaft, and also with the present one piece unit.Other than the OD clunk, it shifts fine. What do you think ? I'm not against getting another trans in the future, funds permitting. Is it possible ( or even desirable ) to adapt a GM 700/R4 to the 5.0 ?
Please add any other points that I may not have thought of. I'd like to keep this one running well for as long as possible...And someday add a 940 wagon with 5 speed LS power :)
THANKS,
Bill
89 740 5.0
Bilstien HD's
Hydras
Stock springs
Upper/lower strut braces
IPD swaybars front/rear
Single piece driveshaft
Four little puller fans mounted to TD radiator
H4's/H3's/Hella fogs below the bumper
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Hey Bill,

So did the downpipes/cat pipes fit your 740 without modifications? Just curious.

When you say that you failed emissions, how did you fail? Do they do a smog test? Which numbers were off? Do they just check to see if the engine is throwing a code? Where do you live?

If you've been using injector cleaner periodically, and the engine runs ok I wouldn't change the injectors yet. I think that other things might play a larger role.

Wires/plugs/cap/rotor is always good if they are old. Definitely check the base ignition timing.

Check for vacuum leaks. All those little hoses, especially to the MAP sensor.

If the O2 sensors are old, think about replacing those.

Fluids/filters are good to change of course, but they're generally not going to affect your emissions unless they're really messed up.

And clean the throttle body and idle control valve. Then adjust the TPS.

Clean all your grounds and/or add good grounds.

Sounds like you're gonna be ready for the next 100k!

Greg
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Hi Greg,

I appreciate the reply. Had to take time out for a kidney stone AND an abscessed tooth ! Get to have the root canal this week.
The exhaust came from Ebay: New system from an 03 SVT Cobra,150.00. It was chopped up to fit, the stock cats,ect. were used, and it's passed annual emissions since '05 or so, until this year ,when it failed(not by much) because the NO was off ( what's NO ?). The drill: Full tank,make sure the cats are hot, fan in front of the car for added airflow when on the rollers...
No codes.
Here in Snellville,Georgia ("where everybody is somebody") cars that are 25 years old don't require smog tests. I'm free as of next year,so I'm looking forward to maybe some shorty headers and a little exhaust tweaking. Any suggestions as to components ? I presently have a dual system(stock '90 5.0 headers ), exiting w/ two LX tailpipes side by side,at the stock tailpipe location. I'd like to get rid of the cats and have the duals exit into one stock Volvo tailpipe, or maybe an IPD chrome tip.It's not too loud now, and I'd like to keep it that way.
Thanks for the advice on the tune. I do use Techron once in awhile, and I have no driveability problems.The only other item is the AOD trans, which is performing...Like an AOD trans. I plan to put in a B&M shift improver kit and use Mercon V fluid, per some internet wisdom ( your thoughts ?). I believe I have a 3.73 rear, and the AOD likes to shift into OD around 1,900rpm...Nice for cruising, bad for any off-the-line fun, ans the other shift points are also low..
BK
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Quick reply here, gotta go to bed-

NOx, means oxides of nitrogen. Typically a result of too high combustion temperatures. That could be because ignition timing is too far advanced. Could be because EGR is not operating right. There are probably other causes, too. I don't know if the O2 sensors will affect that, but they do affect mixture, so probably.

Sounds like you need a basic tune up to base specs, and then go from there.
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Thanks much !
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Does your check engine light function.
If it is connected and not on I would go with the stuff you mentioned.
There is a cylinder balance test the can be run with a handheld tester, might depend on year. The other thing is the cats, if they are old. I use a handheld heat sensor to check if they are hotter than the exhaust pipes.

My 245 will clunk going into overdrive. I lessened the clunk by adjusting the shift points a little. I think this happens because the Volvo's are lower geared and the AOD shifts at a lower speed than in a ford. I think the fords are at like 2.73 or something verses the Volvo 3.31, 3.91...

For the 5.0 there is always the Mustang forums to check too.

Check engine light does function.
Cats,sensors,ect.came from Ebay in'05 from a new '03 SVT Cobra Mustang- bought the complete system and it was cut up to fit the Volvo. Passed emissions every year until '13 ( more detail in my reply to Greg )
Thanks for the advice re: Trans.Mine absolutely does shift at lower points... I'm not planning on doing any more major mods to this car ( I'd like to have a 5 speed LS or Ford 5.0 940 in the future, though ), but I will be trying a B&M shift kit and some Mercon V fluid to see if that might make things a little more positive. I can almost eliminate the clunk by modulating the throttle at certain times, but my wife is not inclined to be so attentive- she doesn't like the experience...

THANKS for the advice, gentlemen ! I've bought some plugs/wires/distributor,PCV,ect. and hope to get the job done this week...Then I'll go back to the emissions tester...

BK
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