The emissions are probably the main fault with this model year. This was the first year for fuel injection and the related emission parts are very complex and integrated, meaning they cost a bunch to fix because many areas overlap. Emissions may cause rich mixture and a hot engine.
Cracked manifolds. Could be attributed to hot running, but a known common problem. Love those fumes at stoplights.
Came with cracked flywheel, another known common problem. Watch the mid-year change in the flywheel. The mechanic dropped the trans three times before getting the right one. At least I didn't have to pay for all that extra time.
Presently slated for retirement on the farm due to a leaking head gasket. It's slowly tearing up the bearings. Let's blame this problem on a rich hot engine too for lack of better idea.
Afraid that Ford was beginning to get cheap with this model. Maybe it was a lemon. The super complex emissions were worked out later, maybe.
The 302 should run 200,000+ if taken care of without the emissions. But the emissions were designed for 50,000 miles maybe at peak performance and once they go bad, many problems can result.
Nonetheless, it has never failed to start and maybe yours would do better.
With all do respect, Fuel Injection was first used in late '85.
Fuel injection was actually used in late 1984.
This was the first year it was standard on the I6. Maybe that's what he means.
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