Long time lurker, first time poster.

I recently swapped some new reman heads into my 1990 5.8, after carefully reassembling everything the engine cranks but will not start. Here is what I have done so far.

Checked fuel pressure at rail w/test gage, 42 PSI with eec test pins 2 & 6 jumped

Checked for spark using spark tester, I have spark from coil and at the plugs

Reseated and refangled the dizzy every which way I can think of, cranked #1 to tdc and aligned dizzy accordingly, no dice, turned 180 degrees, no dice. I have re-done this process at least 10 times thinking I have a timing issue.

Checked over vacuum hoses for disconnections/breaks, found none.

Checked grounds, even added a new chassis ground, still no luck.

Checked for gas in vacuum line of FPR, no gas coming out.

When I changed the heads I changed the injectors to reman ones too, the original injectors were part #E5TE-B1B and the new ones I got off ebay are #F0TE-D1A, as far as I can tell these are both 19lb injectors for the 5.8, they also look identical.

This vehicle drove into my garage under its own power before disassembly, and was running ok, just spewing white coolant smoke. Could my TFI have taken a crap when removing the distributor or something? Could the PO have put in a funky cam that uses a different firing order? I am at the end of my rope here, its been months trying to figure this out. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

Well, If you think the timing is off then turn over the engine to compression stroke on #1,reinstall the dist. There can be 2 firing orders, but even with the wrong one it should attempt to do something. Are you getting a back fire or anything or it just do nothing?

 

I have done this several times trying to get it right, I get an occasional backfire, and some popping but no start, same story if I rotate the distributor 180 degrees

 

Have you looked for any stored codes, or used a noid set to check electrical impulses from the wiring harness to the fuel injectors. I'm sure that your sick of the timing by now, but still suspect though, so here is a link for a guide:
Ford Fuel Injection » Setting the timing

 

Did you try either to see if maybe it is a fuel problem? If you went over the timing like you say then either the valves are not seating properly or you are not getting fuel.

 

Are you absolutely sure you have the plug wires routed and connected properly? The fact that you are getting an occasional pop or backfire suggests you are close, so check your work against the diagram below and try advancing the distributor(turn it clockwise) from 0 timing until you either run out of room(the TFI hits the thermostat housing).. which means you're 180 deg off, or the engine starts.

 

Conanski, I managed to get it to start today with the TFI pressed against the thermostat housing, it ran, with my foot on the throttle for a few seconds then died. Does this mean I am 180 off? If so then I should just pull out the dizzy and turn the rotor so it seats 180 opposite its previous location, correct?

 

Actually that means the distributor is 1 tooth off so carefully pull it out while holding the rotor so that it doesn't turn relative to the base(note you will have to turn the whole distributor instead to get it out) and then reinsert it 1 tooth counter clockwise from that point. If you do it right the TFI module should now have clearance to move back towards the thermostat housing again.

 

Conanski, you are a Ford god amongst Ford men. That did it, it runs like new now! I was freaking out thinking I got a bad set of heads or did something wrong in the install. Your posts have helped me out many a time, but this one really got me out of a bind. I'll be able to go to work today! Many thanks!

 

quote
"its been months trying to figure this out"

Timing can be tricky, always good to have a guide to look over first.

 

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