This is topic TFI HELP quick please in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners .
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Posted by 88gt (Member # 579) on
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Can someone with a chiltons or prior knowledge please tell me what tool and what size i need to take off my TFI module on my 88gt. I am trying to fix it right now and can't figure out how to get it off. Thanks for the help guys.
Posted by fiveohmike (Member # 1437) on
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Its a special 8mm tool
You really need the TFI tool to get it off and ther only like 12 bucks
Mike
Posted by 88gt (Member # 579) on
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Thanks for the help. It actually needs a 5.5 mm deep socket. Unfortunately I found this out about 5 minutes after all the stores around here closed, so i'll have to wait til I have more time to fix it.
Posted by 88bird (Member # 1424) on
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If you can't find 5.5mm 7/32 works too.
Posted by 88gt (Member # 579) on
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How long should I wait to fire up the car after I replace the TFI? Do I have to wait for that stuff to harden at all before I start the car? Will the stuff even harden at all?
Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on
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Fire it up ASAP and post your results ASAP.
Posted by 88gt (Member # 579) on
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quote:
Originally posted by st5150:
Fire it up ASAP and post your results ASAP.
I just got back from my wild goose chase trying to find the socket. I couldnt find an adapter for it either, so i just bought a new one. I'm going to grab something to eat and try wrenching before I have to go out again later.
Posted by 88gt (Member # 579) on
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Apparently 7/32's doesn't work on my car......so it's time time to call some more stores and find someone with a deep 5.5mm socket...
Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on
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quote:
Originally posted by 88bird:
If you can't find 5.5mm 7/32 works too.
True.... 7/32" = 5.556mm It should work for removing the TFI.
Posted by 88gt (Member # 579) on
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quote:
Originally posted by st5150:
quote:
Originally posted by 88bird:
If you can't find 5.5mm 7/32 works too.
True.... 7/32" = 5.556mm It should work for removing the TFI.
Drive over here and show me how much I suck, because it really doesn't fit. I'll go try hammering the socket on it or something because i'm pretty desperate right now. If that doesn't work i'll dremel the holes bigger so I have more room to work with, maybe that's the problem.
Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on
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No good. If you don't have the proper tool to remove it, how will you install the new one?
Posted by 88gt (Member # 579) on
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quote:
Originally posted by st5150:
No good. If you don't have the proper tool to remove it, how will you install the new one?
Well I called Kragen and this last guy actually seemed to know what he was talking about. He said there is a 'module' removal tool for Ford. It's basically a nut driver on a swivel that is 7/32's. I was going to dremel the old TFI because I think the reason the socket isn't working right now is because the hole isnt big enough to get the socket in there. I test fit the socket for my new one though and it went all the way to the back of the module, so I could use it for the new one.
Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on
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Well that's an idea. Downsides are
A) the socket isn't the right size and won't remove the bolt.
B) Your TFI module is fine afterall, but you messed it up removing it by force.
Posted by 88gt (Member # 579) on
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quote:
Originally posted by st5150:
Well that's an idea. Downsides are
A) the socket isn't the right size and won't remove the bolt.
B) Your TFI module is fine afterall, but you messed it up removing it by force.
I know, i've been over this in my head. But,
A) Even if this socket isn't the right size I'm eventually going to get the right size to remove it anyways.
B) I can't see what else would be causing the problem right now, so I'd be willing to use the 30 dollar new module to find out.
Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on
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Its your call ![[patriot]](graemlins/patriot.gif)
Posted by 88gt (Member # 579) on
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UPDATE:
A) I got the removal tool from Kragen and it took me about 5 seconds to take the bolt out.
B) I got the removal tool from Kragen and it took me about 5 seconds to rip the head off the second bolt somehow. So now its stuck in the distributor!!! God this is fun
I also looked at the old TFI and they hardly put any of the white crap on the back of it.
Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on
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You hardly need any of that thermal paste.
So how far out is the bolt sticking out? Can you use some vice grips to screw it? WD-40 and vice grips could save the day here.
Posted by FasterDamnit (Member # 442) on
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oops.
[ January 15, 2003, 04:56 PM: Message edited by: FasterDamnit ]
Posted by FasterDamnit (Member # 442) on
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The white crap is heat sink compound, basically zinc oxide. Very little is needed to form a good heat conduction interface. We would put it on and wipe the surface w/ a razor blade so just a film was left behind. Sucks about the bolt. Ez out time.
Posted by 88gt (Member # 579) on
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quote:
Originally posted by st5150:
You hardly need any of that thermal paste.
So how far out is the bolt sticking out? Can you use some vice grips to screw it? WD-40 and vice grips could save the day here.
It's hardly sticking out at all. Already tried vice grips and I dont have any WD-40 with me at school. I have to go now, but i'll be back around 7 to frustrate myself some more.
By the way, since the TFI is heat sensitive it's probably pretty crucial that I have both screws in there so it doesn't bounce around correct? I was thinking about being ghetto and just clipping down the side with the missing screw. (if only it was that easy)
Posted by FasterDamnit (Member # 442) on
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Well, for short term, just-to-get-home fix, how about zip tie all the away around the dist? (plus the one screw)
Posted by 88gt (Member # 579) on
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quote:
Originally posted by FasterDamnit:
Well, for short term, just-to-get-home fix, how about zip tie all the away around the dist? (plus the one screw)
Well by being at school, I mean away at college, not at home with my parents. My car is currently in my garage at my house at school. I was thinking something like a zip tie or one of those big black clips people use to hold together large papers and such. I just want to see if i've found my problem or not.
Thanks for the help Jim.
Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on
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WD-40 and a torch on the bolt along with some vice grips have proven to work magic.
Posted by 88gt (Member # 579) on
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quote:
Originally posted by st5150:
WD-40 and a torch on the bolt along with some vice grips have proven to work magic.
There's nothing to grab on to the screw with...it doesnt stick out far enough.
Posted by shadow50 (Member # 2265) on
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I just had to do the same with my other distributor.
The Smog ref wants to see the ugly original Distributor in my nice clean motor. So once it gets running right out comes the MSD and off to the Ref!
I had the same problem. But I had some extra deep well sockets. once I figured the right size I ground the outside of the socket down to fit inside of that blooming module! out it came.
Hope you get to it!
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