1984 Ford Tempo stalling out when it shifts to 2nd gear

So putting it into gear does not make it want to stall?Can you drive immediately after starting?Is the problem consistant from the get go?How many miles per hour does it go before the second gear shift?Have you tried manually holding in first longer then shifting?Have you tried manually starting out in second?When did this problem start?Had anything recently been done to car?The symptoms you describe sound like to lean a mixture or the spark is too weak/misfiring?Fuel pressure could be down?Do you know how many miles are on car?Is it a unknown high mileage beater?The odometer only goes to 99999 then turns over. You should check MAP sensor hose. It goes from map sensor (on top of passenger side shock tower) to intake manifold on engine, it's not very big or long but if it has a leak it will definitely mess with you fuel mixture. The reason it fails is because it is subjected to jerking around by engine. If that's not it then pull coil wire off an look inside both ends for heavy corrosion (rusty or white powder) and clean or replace. When was the last tune-up?

There are so many if's here unless you can communicate more effectively I cannot keep guessing?You can check the inside of the distributor by taking off rubber boot/sock that covers it top(if applicable)and loose the 2 screws at the base of the cap. Lift off and look around inside. How long have you owned/driven car and when did problem start?What happens if you start out in second (2)instead of first(D)?

1984!That's an old 1!It has the single throttle body(looks like carburetor). The nice thing about these is the water pump is much easier to change. What are your weather conditions where you are at and when did the problem start?Was it gradual or sudden in developing?Like I said before, it does sound like a fuel problem causing a lean mixture that shows up more under a greater load like a gear change/speed increase. This could be a fuel pressure problem or a fuel control problem. Has a fuel pressure test been done?On this car you can watch the throttle body spray it's fuel with the cover removed. It sprays in a cone shape like a shower head. This is all computer controlled. The MAP sensor being the most influential in this case. Also the TPS and temp sensor and the computer itself. Age really works against this car unless these parts have been replaced before. It would be nice if your mechanic could list the fuel system parts he has verified as working correctly?

WOW!Never met a carbureted tempo!And a 1 barrel at that!Would like to get my hands on 1 of those carbs!Probably means you have no computer in your car?Well, this changes things as far as diagnosis goes!You have a mechanical fuel pump in front below valve cover on right side of motor so tank damage is moot. Except possibly low gas level starvation?Like I said, you havn't told me if the car has ever ran right for you?And the carburetor is a little complex in operation from older styles. It's called a feedback design. The reason they replaced the gasket is to fix a possible air leak which would explain the lean sputtering/backfiring. If an airleak(from other sources) is ruled out then all that's left is not enough fuel(fast enough) or internal carb defects. Given the age if carb is original I suspect that as the cause of the problem. Rubber parts rot with age. Very common problem on older low mileage cars. All over the car, not just in carb. Since carb is exposed to fuel, makes it worse for carb parts. Usually feedback carbs when parts fail default to rich or lean. Sounds like yours is lean if failed.I wonder if a repair kit is available for that carb?I also have had carb cars act in a similar way and it was the fuel pump internal valves failing. Ok I just looked online and their may be 2 diff carbs used on that car. Holley or carter. And if holley there are 2 models. Kits are available for $30+and found holley rebuild for $100. Also I noticed it has an electric choke. You could tie/rig choke in half closed/open position and see if problem improves as that will cause a richer constant mixture. You could drive it like that but it would probably use more gas!