Hey Everyone,

I have a 1988 Ranger Xlt (2.9l v6 w/ A4ld; 2wd) that I bought maybe a year ago, and I have taken my sweet time to work on it. When I got it, it was blowing smoke as if it was burning coolant,as well as it was revving really high to shift(pretty sure that's the trans though).

I took the upper intake off and everything associated( I.E. Fuel rail, distributor, injectors,valve covers, as well as the blower fan and ac system, power steering pump, and various sensors and vacuum hoses)

I replaced the lower intake manifold gasket( it was broken), and reassembled everything to my best knowledge ( i didn't mark the fuel injector pigtails however, like an idiot)

TL: DR

My Engine runs very poorly, Sounds off time but also misfiring, compression seems fine, tried swapping injector pigtails, i think I've found the combination its meant to be in.

It starts, Runs poor, will die if you don't give gas after about 20 seconds, If you cover a vacuum port it dies, and as you rotate the distributor it sounds different(maybe better, I dont know)


Please help, I've got no idea whats wrong, and I'd love to daily drive this and restore it

Note:

There is no coolant in the engine/ Cooling system, I haven't run it for more than 30 seconds at a time. Also plug wires are new. Has fuel pressure as well.


Video of the Engine Running:

 

Firing order is off, wires reversed

Start at spark plug and do one wire at a time

If you say "No, I did that already", then you are 100% correct that you "KNOW" firing order is correct
But it is wrong, lol

Picture here: http://i.fixya.net/uploads/images/emissionwiz_38.gif

 

Alright guys, Thank you all for the replies, just spent a little time with the truck.

Took off the intake manifold, re-installed the distributor(TDC on Piston one on compression stroke), Re ran all the spark plugs wires, and installed a new distributor cap as well


I noticed it was wet underneath the intake (gaskets etc), smells like gas, possibly the Fuel Pressure Regulator, but not sure (and dont really want to shell out 60 bucks for a new one.)

buttoned her all up and she started, sounded a little better, but the more vacuum lines i took off, the more powerful it sounded. The engine would die if i hooked all the vacuum ports up.


I honestly have no idea what wrong, i know the timing is off, but it doesn't fix when i adjust the distributor (by hand, twisting the housing)


Side note: Realized the Map sensor was never plugged, the vacuum line was, the electronics were not however. Once i plugged her in, it didnt start anymore, unplugged it, and it still didnt start, so im not sure that is a cause of the no start or poor running.

Video of it running now:

 

Have a read here:https://www.broncoiicorral.com/forum...e-crap.139971/