I picked up a '93 Tempo for $150. Engine seems to run good and the transmission shifts okay. Slow to start some mornings, and idles a little funny when on the brakes. I am starting with changing the fuel filter and looking into a vacuum leak in the brake booster. I drove it for about 3-4 weeks.
It obviously does have a few issues, but no rust, just some dents and faded paint.
When the car is first started, the belt will squeal for about 30 sec. then stop (sometimes like 10 sec.). Once the engine is idled down once warm, it makes a clattering/chattering noise, but it doesn't appear to be directly related to the valve train. 1,800+ (guess) RPMS, and the noise is pretty much gone. Sounds like it coming from the passenger side, near the tire/front of the engine, basically the side of the car. At higher RPMs (2,000+), it just sounds like a normal 4 cyl. engine. Sometimes the steering will freeze for a sec. then suddenly kick in and it may or may not squeal. Also, will everything turned on (heat, brights, stereo, etc), the belt will squeal. It's gotta be smoked by now.
I think it's the power steering pump going bad.
Does this sound consistent with it's location and are these known to be problematic? Will I need a power steering pump pulley puller for this particular job (anything to watch out for)? I am planning on just getting a used one, I don't want to sell out $100 for just a PS pump for a $150 car. I am just using it until I get my student loans paid off, then I am going to get something from the year 2000+. I would also like to make a little money off of it.
(even if it's $50).
I just ordered a new gatorback belt for it. The battery also died on me the other day, it looked old and it could have just been from the cold. I mean it was from 12v to not being able to luminate the head lights within seconds. I put battery I had kicking around in it, and it fired up and I got it home. It's been setting until I get the embarrassing squeal resolved. I am guessing they're related, the alternator seemed to test okay, about 14 volts with a load and no load on the electrical system.
I was gutting a F250 to put the 351 into my Ranger, I finally got rid of the F250 and am ready to diagnose the problems as this is going to be my beater car because I finally have the room again in my garage.
Also, after driving the car for a while, it feels like a tire is out of balance in the front. Rolls pretty smooth when it's cold. I was making an guess that a rotor could be severly warping under heat from friction of the brakes. I torqued the front tires with a torque wrench when I reinstalled. Has anyone ever heard of a rotor doing this, or should I look more closely to the CV joints?
I appreciate any insight on these issues before I start digging in.
The first thing I am going to do is listen at the pulley tensioner, A/C, P/S, and alternator with a stethoscope, and hopefully this will point me in the right direction.
One more thing, where is the best place to jack up these cars with just a regular old jack? I guess I can use the scissors...
I just don't want to break anything and make more of a mess than I am are into.
Has anyone actually done a 2.3L -> 3.0L swap on one of these, and if so, do the transmissions hold up like those found in the Taurus?
Thanks,
Pete
Bought a '93 Tempo 
Linear Mode
