Solved Intake question for a 1988 Aerostar.

[jseely]

Mine has what seems to be the correct intake tube, but the box doesn't seem to fit as it should and where it should... like it's missing some parts. The way its setup now, the intake tube goes straight into the box with no air flow sensor in between the box and the tube. I know on my '92 Tempo the 3.0 had a MAF there, but no idea if the '88 Aero should, and I can't find any definitive info. It seems like if there were another part between the box and the tube, the box would sit about where it is supposed to, judging from the mounts on the fender.

Anyone know for sure? Anyone have a pic of their stock setup? Something isn't quite right about mine but I have no idea how to figure out what.

 

[Josh P]

The 3.0 was speed density that year so there won't be a maf.

 

[don-ohio]

My 88 truck has a MAP sensor,so maybe it's not a MAF? MAP has a vacuum line usually and is mounted on firewall a lot of times,but dunno about that old of an Aerostar.Can't remember my oldest 3.0...it was an 87..don-ohio ^)

 

[BrooklynBay]

There was no mass air sensor in 1988. You have a MAP sensor instead.

 

[jseely]

Good info, thanks everyone... I still can't figure out what I am missing, though. The airbox doesn't sit where it should, like the tube is 4-6" short. I guess I'll have to keep and eye out for a stock setup at a yard somewhere. I suspect that the tube on mine is from a MAF vehicle, but the MAF was obviously not used.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Auto parts stores sell performance universal hoses which look like similar to a dryer vent hose. You could easily adapt one of those hoses to your vehicle.

 

[Josh P]

My air filter box was cracked so I replaced it with a round filter that goes on the end of the intake tube. It didn't do anything for power but I gained 1 mpg.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I have one of those round air filters on my 1988 van too.

 

[jseely]

I have one of those round air filters on my 1988 van too.

That's what I wound up doing. I don't know about "5-10hp" but its reusable and seems to have smoothed out my loping idle. I would daresay that the engine does revv more freely through the midrange, too.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update. Your thread is now marked solved.