so ive done some research and have tried fixing a few problems. i just bought this car so far i replaced the starter the battery and bought new spark plugs. its an 88 gxl the engine was taken out of another fc but im not sure what year i would imagine its the same year.

got my alternator tested and its no good. but on my voltage gauge on the cluster will read higher than 12 sometimes and ive been running on this battery for about 200 miles now. so could my alternator be working only sometimes?

also it wont start in the morning unless i push start. and then after that cold or hot it takes me stomping the gas pedal as fast as possible repeatedly to get it started.

and finally i just recently decided to get on her and take it up higher rpm and then the hesitation and jerking started to happen around the 3500 or higher range. it scared the crap out of me so i didnt go no higher and babied all the way home.

im very confused about the rotary and im pulling my hair out. i need help. please and thanks

 

A working alternator should be putting out 14+ volts, not just 12. If it tested bad, you should be replacing it. A weak alternator will eventually lead to a battery being drained to the point where the starter won't spin.

Your cold start equipment may have been removed or is not working (thermowax, BAC).

Check the FAQ for 3800 RPM hesitation. It's typically under low throttle, but goes away when you apply more. It's a stumble related to the transition between the primary and secondary injectors. The primaries have their duty cycle cut in half & the secondaries come online at the same duty cycle. If there is any delay, you'll get a lean hesitation.

 

Your igninition system won't operate properly at such low voltage, and you'll probably experience hesitation, poor or nonexistent idle, horrible MPG, and loss of power among other things. Replace the alternator before you ruin the battery (if you haven't already)