hey i'm new to this whole car thing. but i bought a 1993 ford thunderbird and ever sice I bought it the guy who sold it to me told me that the radiator wasn't that good. and I was just wondering if that was the reason why my car overheats pretty quikly when i DRIVE IT the ride is smooth. but if it overheats it starts kind of shaking. other problem is when i bought it sometimes when i preesed the gas after a stop or light my car would just shake and die. so i got that fixed i changed the sensor and the gas filter, and my car worked pretty good for a while but now when i do the same the car shakes a little but it doesn't turn off so could this mean that it needs a tune up?
i really need help
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diehardbiker
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Write to Click & clank car talk column, Tom and Ray! They may shed better light for you. Check Car Talk They may have answer for you.
Tune up? I am not sure which this particular engine uses ignition system. If it is electronic, then tune up isn't needed. Only that needs basic spark plugs and cable changes, But if it is mechanical, then tune up may be needed. If it is fuel injector, then the injectors may need to be cleaned or replaced. But first check fuel filter. SOmetimes fuel filter clogs cause lousy engine performance.
Tune up? I am not sure which this particular engine uses ignition system. If it is electronic, then tune up isn't needed. Only that needs basic spark plugs and cable changes, But if it is mechanical, then tune up may be needed. If it is fuel injector, then the injectors may need to be cleaned or replaced. But first check fuel filter. SOmetimes fuel filter clogs cause lousy engine performance.
Roadrunner
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Try to get a product that helps clean the fuel injectors, it's something that you can just simply pour down in your gas tank and go from there...and see if that'll help any. 
~RR
~RR
Lillys dad
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Before replacing the radiator, try diagnosing some of the smaller components of the cooling system. Usually, if a radiator is bad, it will leak all at once. You may try flushing the radiator. This is pretty easy, but can be kind of time consuming. Also see if the thermostat is working. Other things that may lead to overheating is, the water pump may be shot, the fan motor may not be working, cooling fan relay, temperature sending unit. There are many reasons why it is overheating, unfortunately, most of the problems give the same symptoms.
As far as a tune up, in my opinion, it may not be a bad idea. Even though, it is fuel injected, there are still sparkplugs, plug wires, and distributor cap. ALl of these items wear out and eventually need to be replaced. It would also be a good idea to replace oil,oil filter, air filter and PCV valve. All of these things are once again,m time consuming, but not very hard at all. If you replaced the fuel filter, you should be able to do these things. Good luck. Even if these things are not the source of the problem, it will help the car to be happy any way.
The cooling issues may be a little harder to fix. Water pumps and cooling fan issues are a little harder and time consuming. I would strongly suggest going to an auto parts store and buying a service manual for the car. This will show you how to work on your exact car.
As far as a tune up, in my opinion, it may not be a bad idea. Even though, it is fuel injected, there are still sparkplugs, plug wires, and distributor cap. ALl of these items wear out and eventually need to be replaced. It would also be a good idea to replace oil,oil filter, air filter and PCV valve. All of these things are once again,m time consuming, but not very hard at all. If you replaced the fuel filter, you should be able to do these things. Good luck. Even if these things are not the source of the problem, it will help the car to be happy any way.
The cooling issues may be a little harder to fix. Water pumps and cooling fan issues are a little harder and time consuming. I would strongly suggest going to an auto parts store and buying a service manual for the car. This will show you how to work on your exact car.