Tempo - Topaz Car Club of North America FAQs (frequently-asked questions)

The Tempo-Topaz Car Club of North America is a community of auto enthusiasts who are committed to the sharing of information about and preserving the legacy of the Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz compact cars. Our official website, the most comprehensive Tempo/Topaz site and community on the Internet, can be found at http://www.tempotopaz.com/.

The Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz (sometimes referred to as the

The base engine for all Tempos and Topazes is the 2.3L

This question is asked fairly often, and the answers can vary greatly. Why not put the money into a newer or more easily modified car? Not everyone can afford the payments on the newest Civic or Mustang, much less afford the vastly inflated aftermarket prices to

The first place you should start is the VIN Decoder in the Tech Section. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a string of 17 letters and numbers, and each car must have one as required by law. You can find out your engine type and other important information from your VIN. It

Exact production numbers are not available at this time, but sport models (the GLS/XR5/LTS trim level), having been made in fewer numbers than the basic Tempo, are very rare. The rarest of all sport models produced is probably the 1992 Topaz Luxury Touring Sedan (LTS), optioned with the V6 engine and five-speed manual transaxle. Very close behind are the other 1992 sport models and the 1989-1991 Tempo GLS four-door sedans with the Sport Appearance Package, a factory body kit. This kit was only available on black, red, and white GLS sedans and is no longer available from the dealer. It is very difficult to find one of these in a junkyard.

Despite these low production numbers, it is still possible to spot a GLS, XR5, or LTS on the road today.

Aftermarket companies have generally paid very little attention to the Tempo/Topaz because they weren't popular amongst the "bolt-on" crowd. Some pieces are available if you look carefully and do a LOT of homework, but most pieces will require custom fabrication to meet your needs and desires. While this may be more expensive with greater work, performing mods to your car in a tasteful manner not only helps to set it apart from other cars on the road, but also other Tempo's.

The Tempo/Topaz changed several times during production, including a major redesign in 1988 and minor ones in 1986 and 1992. As the models changed, so did the features and option packages available. The Year-By-Year History section has most of the features listed that were available each year.

General: A solid, rust-free body is a must. Our cars have a tendency to wear around the doors, fenders, and especially floor pans, even if well cared for. You may have to go to great distances (especially if you live in the Northern USA or Canada) to get a rust-free car, but it is well worth the expense, unless you are handy with a can of Bondo and a welding torch.

Engine: High mileage is something to note when buying any car. That said, all the engines used in the Tempo/Topaz are well designed and can last well past 200,000 miles if properly cared for. If you are looking to modify your engine, then you should consider a 1992-94 Tempo/Topaz. Previous years used an engine sensor system that doesn

The forums are an online message board integrated into TempoTopaz.com. It exists for members of TempoTopaz.com to seek help with their vehicles and projects, show off their cars, and basically have a good time and interact with fellow Tempo/Topaz addicts. You may view message topics as a guest, but to reply to them or to post new topics, you will need a site account with TempoTopaz.com.

To access the forums, click on the

First, read the Tempo/Topaz Information pages in the Tech Section. These cover basic Specifications, Modifications, Maintenance, Year-by-Year Info, VIN Decoder, and more. A wealth of information compiled over the course of nearly four years is available there.

If your answer still eludes you, then try searching the message forums, and if need be, posting a question there.

There may be several reasons for this. First, try using the Search tool on the forums to see if a similar question has been asked before. Second, sometimes a question just gets overlooked. Third, it could very well be that no one knows the answer to your question! There is a lot about these cars that we just don

The "Featured Profile" is a Tempo or Topaz that is selected on a monthly basis to become the representative example of the Tempo/Topaz community here at the Tempo-Topaz Car Club of North America.

There are just a few criteria that must be met before your car will be considered for selection as "Featured Profile".

• The Featured Profile is open to cars that are stock, slightly modified, or highly modified.


• Your entire member profile must be filled out. You must also include at least 4 images (of your car) in your photo gallery to show off the current condition of your car. To update your profile, click on the Your Photo Gallery link at the top of the page while on the Message Board.


• Have a couple of good shots (front 3/4 or rear 3/4) at least 640 x 480 pixels wide to be used as the background image for the month. If you are selected, the webmaster will contact you for those images.

• Overall condition of the car


• Stock Cars: How clean and close to original the car looks


• Modified Cars: Any recent major modifications performed on the car


• Quality of the photos in your profile.


• Generation. I try to rotate through the three generations, so not one generation is left out

There's a pretty good write up on how to read the codes here http://www.dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html They say to use a test light or voltage meter but you don't have to. Just jump the 2 pins as described with a paper clip and the "check engine" light will flash out the codes. It'll take a few tries to learn how to read the flashes but it's not too difficult. Just print out the instructions, read them over a few times and follow them step by step.

Only the 5 speed manuals had overdrive and to date no one has found an overdrive equipped automatic that will fit in a Tempo/Topaz. It's fairly straight forward to swap a 5 speed into an ATX car so this is what some people have done to increase performance and add overdrive at the same time.

No it does not so extra care must be taken not to exceed the redline on the tach. The engine won't grenade if you go a bit over once or twice but you're not doing it any favors either.

Try www.helminc.com , a good source for shop manuals. Just enter a 1985 Ford Tempo (or similar) into the search prompts and all the documentation they have on that vehicle will be listed. As a last resort you could try eBay.

The website is having big issues right now, and I don't have an ETA o­n when it wll be fixed. Sorry about that.

The first thing I'd do is chaeck for codes. That will point you in the right direction. When did the car start to act up? Was anything changed just before it started acting up?

im trying to

There are a number of differences between the 2 years, I doubt very much that anything will hook up so I'll say no, the harnesses won't swap.

The best person to ask for help with your electrical conserns would be "Jimmyk".

Well, first of all... I would check under the hood for a decal on a right side of the rad support. It will show you what the main EGR components are, as well as how they should be connected.
Your local Ford parts people will have info. on the EGR set up as well.
A very good source for info. on this site would be 'JimmyK'. He works with the engineers at the Ford Plant in St. Thomas.

From the sounds of it, the front brake rotors could be worped, as well as the calipers needing serviceing.
These days, it is cheaper to just purchase new ones compaired to having them re-machined.
Remember, the brake system used on your V6 Tempo was originally used on the smaller Escort.

Hmm... thats a tough one , check via a PM to "JimmyK".
It could be the EGR valve hanging up on you.

As far as I know no , that has not been attempted by any of the Members on this site to date.

I believe they are posted in the pictures section of the forums. Its down toward the bottom of the page.

Please visit the forums, there's a section there to ask questions about this kind of issue.

Check the forums, there's info there on your issues.

You will find a video of how to do just that in our mechcanical forum.
If you need help finding it, please let me know.

Brian Davis

TTCCNA Webmaster

Please browse the through our Tech Centre, and Performance Modifications Forums.

Hi Larry, accessories like those for use on your Tempo, are very hard to source these days, but try contacting a company by the name of WeatherTech.

800-411-6287 or www.weathertech.com

2435 Wisconsin Street, Downers Grove , IL 60515

Fax: 630-769-0300

Check our Tech or Performance Forums for that answer my friend.

Replace the bulbs, I bet the low beam filaments are broken due to the accident

www.car-part.com

What dash audio unit do you have there in your /92 Tempo?
It would help to know that.

The V6 (Vulcan) motor was an option available from /92 -/94 Tempo & Topaz model yrs. only.
This V6 (Vulcan ) motor was also used in the earlier model Taurus.

The spec's available on the net show a length of 25" total from inlet to outlet tip. Inlet is 2" in diameter and 2" long. The outlet is 1.75" in diameter and 8" in length. This includes the factory built-in tailpipe. Body length is 15" long and 7" in diameter. This muffler necks down to less than 1.5" internally and is actually quite restrictive in terms of total flow capacity. This helps keep it quiet albeit at the expense of performance.

If looking for a "drop in" replacement with slightly better performance and a bit more "sound", the only game in town is the Walker SoundFX 17825. Don't expect huge gains with this muffler, but it is a direct swap.

Some good alternatives with measurably better performance would be as follows. Each have 2" inlets, 2" core and 2" outlets and require the addition of a short tailpipe extension. That is, they lack the factory tailpipe extension. They are listed in terms of total flow capacity i.e. the last muffler listed offering the least flow restriction and the greatest peak hp potential. It is also slightly shorter in length, should be easier to install and offer a tiny bit more "roar" from the exhaust when opening the throttle.

Dynomax Super Turbo 17783

Dynomax Super Turbo 17742

If you want noticeably higher levels of both performance potential AND sound levels, you can always run a glasspack muffler. The highest flowing glasspacks are sold under the Walker / Thrush / Dynomax brand. All of these mufflers are the same so long as they use the identical part numbers, so don't fret about what name is on the box.

These do NOT have internal "louvers" and are therefore non-directional when installing them. The first muffler can be made to fit in the stock location pretty easily since it is the same length as the stock muffler & tailpipe assembly. It would have to be angled downward though. The remaining models are too long, but could be mounted elsewhere in the system with the stock exhaust pipe size.

2" inlet / core / outlet:

The 24200 is 25" long from end to end, so you subtract 5" and you end up with 20" of actual muffling capacity.

The 24202 is 27" long from end to end, so you subtract 5" and you end up with 22" of actual muffling area.

The 24204 is 31" long from end to end, so you subtract 5" and you end up with 26" of actual muffling area.

If going up to a larger diameter exhaust pipe and a custom installation, the highest flowing Walker / Thrush / Dynomax glasspack with a 2.25" inlet and outlet makes use of a 2.5" internal core.

The 24211 is 35" long, offering 30" of actual muffling area.

One must remember that flow capacity is measured through the entire system. As such, simply replacing the muffler with a higher flow unit may / may not net you the desired gains. That will depend on whether or not the muffler itself was the most restrictive point in the system. Having said that, it probably WILL change the sound of the vehicle for better or worse. What one likes and finds desirable is all a matter of personal opinion.

Other mufflers of varying make, model & design can obviously be made to work. Those listed above were chosen with flow & ease of installation as primary concerns. As mentioned above, sound quality is a matter of personal preference.

Most power steering fluids are pretty much standardized from vehicle to vehicle. While all Ford Tempo and Mercury Topaz use standardized power steering fluid, some other vehicles use ATF ( Automatic Transmission Fluid ). While the fluid that the manufacturer recommends is always your best choice, one can substitute common NON-SYNTHETIC forms of ATF in our vehicles in a pinch. The higher levels of detergents & conditioning agents in ATF can result in either good or bad things happening after that point, depending on the overall age & condition of the power steering system and the additives found in the actual ATF used. Either way, try to stick with what is recommended AND use a brand name product. Some generics may be just as good, but if they aren't, you haven't saved any money and may end up costing yourself more in the long run.