i have been working on my 87 f250 with the i6 4.9
before i got it it was sitting for several years
i had it running but it was missing.
so i put in a new fuel pressure regulator
i was able to start it after that.
then i drained the gas by unhooking the line from the fuel pump
after that i hit a release valve to get rid of the air in the line
then i realized i had a crack in my brand new distributer cap
i figured i was loosing spark so i swapped it out with the identical firing order
since then i haven't been able to get it started with or without starter fluid
every time i try to start it it back fires and wont start
i have already checked the firing order by checking the notch on the crank and matching it up with the distributer
im about to just give up on the project and pay the big bucks at the shop and have it done but i figured that i would head over here first to try my luck and save my self some cash
just trying to get my first car on the road
any help would be great

 

take the dist. cap off and check the rotor (its in the dead center under the cap on the dist.) it should pull right off. it might not be contacting the cap terminals since you got a new cap it may be possible the rotor ate **** along with it. go to the LPS and grab a new rotor (maybe 7 bucks). fairly cheap and could be your problem!

btw starter fluid is like crack, keep it away from your truck or else itl want it ever time

 

i forgot to mention that i also put a new rotor in when i replaced the cap
and i will remember that about the starter fluid

 

Did you turn the dizzy at any point?

First verify the firing order 1-5-3-6-2-4 (Naturally the front cylinder is #1)

If nothing wrong there loosen the dizzy hold down clamp (mark is location now so you can always return to that same point if needed), not a lot just so you can turn the dizzy by hand with some resistance.

Have someone else operate the key for you so you can handle the dizzy end of the job, have them crank the motor, while its cranking you slowly rotate the dizzy back and forth, retard and or advance the timing unit it starts.


Oh and he was just joking about the starting fluid!

However use starting fluid sparingly, to much of a good thing and you might find yourself picking engine parts out of your face.....

 

ohh thanks i will try that tomorrow as seeing that my battery is now in need of a charge and its dark

 

Well grasshopper, you'll find a 300 in one of two ways:
A 300 that needs nothing other than a tune-up and a gentle nudge to start......And never have to do much other than general maintenance.

OR

A 300 that you can easily sink your college fund, mortgage the house and sell everything you own to fix it; And NEVER get it to run quite right....

And yes, Starting fluid can equal out to a quick, up close view of the innards of the engine if a backfire happens.....
************************************************** *****
On the otherhand, once you find a nice running 300, you'll NEVER want a v8's headaches again.....6 Cylinders + 6 plugs & wires + 1 Distributor = 1 Happy fellar.........

Hope ya get it running man-

-Wes

 

thanks allot man, hopefully i wont need to sink much more money into this one. and yeahh im guna take it easy on the starter fluid

 

15 is too young. 36 is too old. 24 is just right. 1-5-3-6-2-4 Thats how I learned to remember the firing order.

Do you know for sure if you are getting spark? No use in throwing dizzy parts if youre getting spark.

I dont have much in the way of your problem here but for future advice use WD-40 instead of starting fluid. Its safer and will lubricate your cylinders as well. You have less chance of blowing up your engine this way also.

 

i have checked the spark with a spark plug tester and it seems like i am getting plenty of spark, i have also swapped plugs and tested the gaps. and my firing order is correct

ohh i have never heard of using wd-40 but it makes allot of sense.
thanks alot