Sway bar is missing or just disconnected?
Since you don't know the history of the vehicle, I would do a complete tune up on the car. Plugs (use Motorcraft recommended plugs), wires if necessary, all filters including fuel filter, pcv valve ( and probably grommet), and at least the two front O2 sensors. Clean the IAC motor at a minimum. You've cleaned the MAF sensor. Don't go buy fancy stuff that claims a bunch of power and mileage. Just get what the factory recommends and you'll be happy.
You can also check...or have it checked...for things like plugged converters, flush and change the cooling system and coolant, check for leaking valve covers, intake gaskets, broken vacuum lines (this one could be prevalent), etc. Sensors such as coolant sensor, inlet air temp, etc can also be changed, but not necessary if you don't suspect a problem. But if they are original, at 170K, I would change them on my car if I were doing everything else. But that's me and I'm **** about that sort of stuff. On someone else's car, I wouldn't unless there were a problem. So it's your choice.
You have a lot of miles on it, but if you take good care of it, give it a good tune up and take care of it, it has a lot more left in it.
I just bought a 2000 exploder with the 302 5.0 it wants to kinda chugg at low rpms in over drive. Iv changed the spark plugs it made alittle differance and I cleaned the m.a.f.s. ???? Maybe a fuel filter??? It has 170.000 on it ... It leaks nothin and seams to run great other wise.... Oh and It had the front sway bar disconected??? any reason why???? someone would do this??? and where could i find the bolts and bushings to put it back together.... Thanks too all for reading and would gladley thank all for insight....
). I do have one cylinder (#4) that burns hotter than the rest, don't know why, but it was that way when I bought it. That one eats through spark plugs and wires like no tommorow. I upgraded to higher performance wires recently to see if that would reduce my repair budget and I haven't had to replace anything since then. I should have had to replace four plugs and a wire by now but all has been normal. Check your X for this problem.
