1981 Ford Mustang Tune-up Information
Maintenance Schedule
| Maintenance interval |
7,500
|
15,00
|
22,500
|
30,000
|
37,500
|
45,000
|
52,500
|
60,000
|
| Change engine oil & filter every 6 month or mileage |
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
| Replace spark plugs |
x
|
x
|
||||||
| Change crankcase Emission filter |
x
|
x
|
||||||
| Inspect accessory drive belts |
x
|
x
|
||||||
| Replace PCV valve |
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
||||
| Change engine coolant at 6 months or at mileage |
x
|
x
|
||||||
| Replace air cleaner filter |
x
|
x
|
||||||
| Check belat, hoses & clamps |
x
|
x
|
||||||
| check exhaust heat shields |
x
|
x
|
||||||
| Lub steering and suspension |
x
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
||||
| Inspect breaking system |
x
|
x
|
||||||
| Inspect & replace front wheel bearings |
x
|
x
|
| Year | Engine | Spark Plugs | Distributor | Timingº | Intake Valve opens | Fuel pump press | Idle speed | |||||
| Cyl cid |
rotation | Type | Gap | Dwell | Gap | Man | A/T | Man | A/t | |||
| 1981 | 140 | CW | AWSF 42 | .034 | * | * | 6B | 20 (12)B | 5.0-7.0 | 850 | 750 | |
| 140T | CW | AWSF 42 | .034 | * | * | 6B | NA | 5.5-6.5 | 900 | 800 (600) | ||
| 6-200 | CW | BSF 92 | .050 | * | * | 10B | 10B | 5.5-6.5 | 700 | 550 | ||
| 8-255 | CCW | ASF 52 | .050 | * | * | 8B | 8B | 5.5-6.5 | NA | 550 | ||
* Not applicable, solid state ignition
*** All timing marks on this chart are Before Top Dead Center (BTDC)
Always use the engine compartment sticker if it disagrees with this or any chart.
- At 750 RPM
- At 650 RPM
- Lowest reading within 75% of highest
- At 550 RPM
- At 850 RPM
- At 700 RPM
- At 500 RPM
- Refer to engine compartment sticker
- 9 Degrees before top dead center
| Lubricant capacities | ||
| Engines – Quarts less oil filter | ||
| 2.8L 140ci | 1981 | 4 or 4.5 if turbo |
| 3.8L 232 ci | 1981 | 4 |
| 4.2L 255ci ci | 1981 | 4 |
| Manual transmissions in pints | ||
| 2.8L 140ci | 1981 | 2.8 or 3.5 if turbo |
| 3.8L 232 ci | 1981 | 4.5 |
| 4.2L 255ci ci | 1981 | 5.6 |
| Automatic transmissions, in quarts | ||
| 2.8L 140ci | 1981 | C3=16 pints, C4=13.5 pints |
| 3.8L 232 ci | 1981 | C3=16 pints, C5=22 pints |
| 4.2L 255ci ci | 1981 | 19 |
| Differential – Maintain to filler hole. | ||
| 6.75″ | 1981 | 2.5 pints in conventional |
| 7.5″ | 1981 | 3.5 pints |
| Fuel tank capacity is 12.5 gallons all models | ||
| Cooling system capacity | ||
| 2.8L 140ci | 1981 | 8.6 or if equipped with A/C is 9.0, turbo is 9.2 |
| 3.8L 232 ci | 1981 | 8.1 quarts |
| 4.2L 255ci ci | 1981 | 13.4 or if equipped with A/C is 13.7 quarts |
