INTRODUCTION
Use this article to quickly find specifications related to servicing and on-vehicle adjustments. This is a quick-reference article to use when you are familiar with an adjustment procedure and only need a specification.
CAPACITIES
| Application & Group | Amp Hr. Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Continental & Mark VII BXT-65 | 850 | ||
| Cougar 3.8L | 540 | ||
| Probe 3.0L | 540 | ||
| Sable & Taurus 3.0L V6 | |||
| SHO | 650 | ||
| Except SHO | 540 | ||
| Optional BXT-65 (1) | 850 | ||
| Thunderbird | |||
| 3.8L | 480 | ||
| 3.8L Supercharged | |||
| Auto. Trans. BXT-65 | 540 | ||
| Man. Trans. BXT-65 | 650 | ||
| (1) BXT-65-850 with heated windshield or police package. | |||
| (1) | BXT-65-850 with heated windshield or police package. |
BATTERY SPECIFICATIONS
FLUID CAPACITIES
| Application | Quantity | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Crankcase (Includes Filter) | |||
| 3.0L | 4.5 qts. (4.3L) | ||
| 3.8L | 5.0 qts. (4.7L) | ||
| Cooling System (Includes Heater) | |||
| 3.0L | 11.0 qts. (10.4L) | ||
| 3.0L SHO | 11.6 qts. (11.0L) | ||
| 3.8L | 11.8 qts. (11.2L) | ||
| 3.8L Supercharged | 12.0 qts. (11.3L) | ||
| Man. Transaxle (Type F, Dexron-II or Mercon ATF): 3.0L SHO | 6.1 pts. (2.9L) | ||
| Auto. Transaxle (Mercon ATF) | |||
| ATX | 8.3 qts. (7.9L) | ||
| AXOD | 12.8 qts. (12.1L) | ||
| Auto. Transmission (Dexron-II) | |||
| AOD | 12.3 qts. (11.6L) | ||
| A4LD | 9.5 qts. (9.0L) | ||
| Differential (SAE 80W-90/API GL-5) | |||
| Cougar & Thunderbird | |||
| 7.5" Ring Gear | 3.5 pts. (1.7L) | ||
| 8.8" Ring Gear | 4.0 pts. (1.9L) | ||
| Mustang | 3.5 pts. (1.7L) | ||
FLUID CAPACITIES
SERVICE INTERVALS & SPECIFICATIONS
| Component | Interval (Miles) |
|---|---|
| Air Filter | 30,000 |
| Cam Timing Belt | 60,000 |
| Coolant | 30,000 |
| Oil & Filter | (2) 7500 |
| PCV Filter | (3) 30,000 |
| Spark Plugs | 30,000 |
| (1) Mileage intervals are for vehicles driven under normal driving conditions. (2) Replace at 5000 mile intervals on turbo model. (3) Inspect and replace if necessary. | |
| (1) | Mileage intervals are for vehicles driven under normal driving conditions. |
| (2) | Replace at 5000 mile intervals on turbo model. |
| (3) | Inspect and replace if necessary. |
REPLACEMENT INTERVALS (1)
BELT ADJUSTMENT SPECIFICATIONS
| Application | New Belt | Used Belt | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L SHO | ||||
| 4-Rib | 154-198 (70-90) | 112-157 (49-69) | ||
| 6-Rib | 220-265 (98-120) | 148-192 (65-87) | ||
| 3.0L Except SHO | ||||
| 5-Rib | 140-160 (62-71) | 110-130 (48-57) | ||
| 6-Rib | (2) | (2) | ||
| "V" Belts | ||||
| Air Pump | 50-90 (24-40) | 40-60 (20-27) | ||
| Except Air Pump | 125-160 (55-71) | 110-130 (48-57) | ||
| Alternator | 140-180 (62-80) | 120-140 (53-62) | ||
| 3.8L (Non-Supercharged) | ||||
| "V" Belts | 74 (34) | 60 (28) | ||
| 4-Rib (Air Pump) | 90-130 (40-57) | 90-120 (40-53) | ||
| 4-Rib (Ex.Air Pump) | 110-150 (48-67) | 110-130 (48-57) | ||
| 5-Rib | 130-170 (57-75) | 120-150 (53-67) | ||
| 6-Rib | 220-265 (97-117) | 148-192 (66-87) | ||
| 3.8L (Supercharged) | ||||
| Jackshaft | 56 (26) | 50 (24) | ||
| Supercharger | 69 (31) | 65 (29) | ||
| "V" Belts | 135 (59) | 130 (57) | ||
| (1) Tension In Lbs. (kg) Using Standard Belt Tension Gauge. (2) Automatic tensioner is used; no adjustment is required. | ||||
| (1) | Tension In Lbs. (kg) Using Standard Belt Tension Gauge. |
| (2) | Automatic tensioner is used; no adjustment is required. |
DRIVE BELT ADJUSTMENT (1)
ENGINE COMPRESSION
Check engine compression with engine at normal operating temperature at specified cranking speed, all spark plugs removed (on dual plugs, remove exhaust side only) and throttle wide open. Ensure crankcase is full and oil is correct viscosity. With compression gauge installed, use remote starter to crank engine.
Crank engine at least 5 revolutions and record highest reading. Repeat procedure for all cylinders using approximately the same number of revolutions. The lowest compression reading should not be less than 75 percent of the highest compression reading. No cylinder compression reading should be less than 100 psi (7 kg/cm 2 ).
| Application | Compression Ratio |
|---|---|
| 3.0L | 9.3:1 |
| 3.0L SHO | 9.8:1 |
| 3.8L | 9.0:1 |
| 3.8L SC | 8.2:1 |
COMPRESSION RATIO SPECIFICATIONS
VALVE CLEARANCE
Note. Hydraulic valve lifters are used and no valve adjustment is required. If incorrect valve clearance is suspected, lifter must be collapsed before clearance can be checked.
| Application | In. (mm) | |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0L (Except SHO) | .085 -.185 (2.16-4.70) | |
| 3.0L (SHO) | ||
| Intake | .006 -.010 (.15-.25) | |
| Exhaust | .010 -.014 (.25-.35) | |
| 3.8L & 3.8L SC | .09 -.19 (2.3-4.8) | |
COLLAPSED VALVE LIFTER CLEARANCE
IGNITION COIL RESISTANCE
| Application | Primary (Ohms) | Secondary (Ohms) |
|---|---|---|
| All Models | .8-1.6 | 8700-11,500 |
IGNITION COIL RESISTANCE
HIGH TENSION WIRE RESISTANCE
| Application (1) | Ohms |
|---|---|
| Probe | 5000 Per Foot |
| Except Probe | 7000 Per Foot |
| (1) DIS systems are 30,000 ohms total per wire. | |
| (1) | DIS systems are 30,000 ohms total per wire. |
HIGH TENSION WIRE RESISTANCE
SPARK PLUG SPECIFICATIONS
| Application | Motorcraft No. |
|---|---|
| 3.0L | AWSF-32C |
| 3.0L SHO | AGSP-32P |
| 3.8L | AWSF-44C |
| 3.8L Supercharged | AWSF-34P |
SPARK PLUG TYPES
| Application | Plug Gap In. (mm) | Torque Ft. Lbs (N.m) |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0L | .042-.046 | 18-28 (25-38) |
| 3.0L SHO | .042-.046 | 18-28 (25-38) |
| 3.8L | .052-.056 | 5-11 (7-15) |
| 3.8L Supercharged | .052-.056 | 5-11 (7-15) |
SPARK PLUG SPECIFICATIONS
Firing Order & Timing Marks (3.0L). Scheme 1
Firing Order & Timing Marks (3.0L SHO). Scheme 2
Scheme 3
Firing Order & Timing Marks (3.8L - Continental). Scheme 4
Firing Order & Timing Marks (3.8L Cougar & Thunderbird). Scheme 5
Firing Order & Timing Marks (3.8L Thunderbird Supercharged). Scheme 6
Scheme 7
IGNITION TIMING
| Application | (1) Degrees BTDC @ RPM | |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0L | 10 @ 740-840 | |
| 3.0 SHO | 10 @ 760-830 | |
| 3.8L PFI | 10 @ 620-720 | |
| 3.8L SC PFI | ||
| Auto. Trans. | 10 @ 550-650 | |
| Man. Trans. | 10 @ 700-800 | |
| (1) With SPOUT in-line connector disconnected. | ||
| (1) | With SPOUT in-line connector disconnected. |
BASE IGNITION TIMING
DISTRIBUTOR SPECIFICATIONS
Note. All models use computed timing advance and no adjustment is possible.
FUEL PUMP
Note. For fuel pressure specifications, see FUEL PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS article.
Note. Fuel pump performance is a measurement of fuel pressure and volume availability, not regulated fuel pressure.
| Application | Specification | |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure | (1) | |
| Volume | ||
| Except Supercharged | 1 pt. (.5L) In 30 Seconds | |
| Supercharged | 1.5 pts. (.72L) In 30 Seconds | |
| (1) For fuel pressure specifications, see FUEL PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS article. | ||
| (1) | For fuel pressure specifications, see FUEL PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS article. |
FUEL PUMP PERFORMANCE
IDLE SPEED & MIXTURE
Note. No idle mixture adjustments are possible. If engine performance is unsatisfactory, see appropriate H - TESTS W/CODES article in this section and refer to the underhood decal for specifications.
FAST IDLE SPEED
Note. Refer to underhood engine decal for engine fast idle RPM specification.
THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR/SWITCH
| Application | Idle | Wide Open Throttle |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0L (SHO) | 0.23 | 4.89 |
| 3.0L (Except SHO) | 0.33 | 4.87 |
| 3.8L | 0.39 | 4.84 |
| (1) Minimum and maximum specifications are given. | ||
| (1) | Minimum and maximum specifications are given. |
TPS VOLTAGE SPECIFICATIONS (1)
See also:
• FUEL PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS