If GreyStreak were here he would also mention to run codes and see if anything comes up when it does that. I don't know anything about that stuff so I'll leave you with that.

 

Thanks Encho, but yeah the starter was cranking fine. I'm pretty sure it has to do with some ignition component, either the wiring to the ignition coil, or maybe the TFI thingy under the distributor (that's what I read on some posts I don't know much about the TFI though).

Yeah the first thing I did was try and read codes too. I didn't know much about them before and thought I didn't want to get involved with them but they are pretty convenient really. I have the ScangaugeII mounted neatly in my dash (where the electronic 4x4 switches would go if it was not manual 4x4) and that has a codes reader built in to it. There were not codes coming up and no codes stored either so whatever is causing it is not throwing any codes.

Today while driving on the highway, I felt the truck shudder once as if it wanted to die but then it didn't. It felt kinda like this before once when I was having spark trouble with some of the wires. I know the wires are new now though so it has to be an ignition issue. Like I said, I don't think it's fuel related because the fuel pump isn't too old and the fuel filter was replaced last year. I also add 89 grade gas so its not the cruddiest stuff out there.

 

Haven't messed around with the dieing issue yet but I have't had any issues lately. Anyways I took some pictures of before/after with the new panels and trim I got!

Here is the driver's side before:


And the dash:




And here are two after pics!





I think it looks way better! The leather door panels are way nicer, and the panels I got were in better condition then the old ones I pulled from a junk yard. I also replaced the switch bezel with a newer one and replaced the ignition and door locks with new ford ones, so I have better working keys now! Plus, my keys say Ford on them now instead of 24h!!

Another thing I just did yesterday was install a heater bypass mod for my AC. I was skeptical on how well it would work, but so far I'm super pleased! I'll post the original thread where I found it and a more in depth write up on a new thread!

 

That looks great Bubba. The pistol on the dash adds a nice affect as well

The only thing that bugs me is the carpeting on the dash. I've never been too fond of it for some reason.

 

Thanks! Yeah, I don't dislike the carpet, but I think I like the look without it better. However, my brother's, dad's, and I think my mom's dashes are all starting to crack (and some pretty bad) because of the sun here in AZ and their vehicles are newer than mine. My dash however is pretty much perfect. I keep the carpet on to protect it so it hopefully never cracks!

 

Yeah thats kind of a deal breaker. A clean dash with carpet, or a crack one without...

 

Haha yeah, and plus, the carpet is a nice soft place for me to place my gun when driving! I don't want to scratch up my Kimber you know!

 

Okay my truck died again and wouldn't start for a while. I finally got it started and headed to oreillys to get a fuel pressure kit.

My fuel at the rail is 31psi with engine on for a 302. Is that too low? I bought a new filter and pump but will wait to install it until I know for sure the pump is bad.

Do you think 31psi is too low? This stalling is annoying and I need it fixed!

 

It should be around 39psi at idle, so you be the judge.

 

Oh hmm... That's not too exciting. I know the gauge reads 40 when the key is on, but 31 at idle. I'm a little worried it may be the TFI though or potentially the PIP sensor in the distributor. I will replace the fuel filter first and see if anything changes but it probably won't because its fairly new.. I can hope though!

 

Well I never got around to replacing the fuel filter, but I did put a reman distributor in.

My Bronco didn't want to start two separate times Monday, and also ended up stalling later on Monday night. I was stranded near an intersection at night and I couldn't get it to start! The fuel pressure seemed decent for key on, ignition off (36-39) but I didn't get it started. Eventually, a cop pulled up behind me and asked what was wrong. I was thinking he was going to give me a hard time but he helped push my truck a block down right next to my girlfriends house (with his car, much easier then pushing uphill by hand)! That was really awesome and then after I was off the road, I had my friend (who was with me) turn the ignition while I tested for spark on one of the plugs. Well it turned out my bronco started then, so I had to turn it off and reconnect the wire, then it started up fine. I parked it at my girlfriends house and worked on it all yesterday.

So far, after about 100 miles, there has been no issues. I suppose it was the PIP sensor or whatever it's called in the distributor! I had to buy a crappy harbor freight timing light because I put the distributor in slightly different than my last, but I got it running well now.

However... I found out I have a leak in my AC somewhere. The compressor clutch kept kicking on and off and making the idle surge once the new distributor was in, so I bought one of those refill kits and put it all in, and now the AC works well again and is really cold. I hope it's a super tiny leak or the "leak sealer" in the recharge kit actually works. I know the hoses, condenser, compressor, and accumulator are all about 2 years old so they shouldn't be bad by now. I guess I'll see how long this recharge lasts and try to figure out from there how to go about fixing it if it still leaks out. I really don't want to charge a shop to evacuate, evacuate, and recharge my AC when there is no real work involved.. just equipment needed. Maybe harbor freight sells something for me to fix this too!

 

Usually the leaks are in the connections, specially the one over the orifice tube, they're easy to check, if any of the connections has leaked there should be light crud over it. These systems seem like they always leak, no matter what, if yours only leaked to that point after 2 years then that's actually in very good shape.

 

That's good to here then. I'll see if I can check the connections when I come back from Yuma on Sunday. After the recharge, my AC is super cold it's awesome! The heater bypass mod with a fresh recharge makes my AC seem to blow colder than any of my friends vehicles. The AC has never been as cold as it is now so hopefully the leak stays really small and I'll only have to recharge every two years or be able to fix it easily.

 

I learned a secret today...

Don't EVER get gasoline in your ear.. it isn't that soothing. In fact it's incredibly painful. Also, when taking off a fuel filter and your friend asks if he should grab his safety goggles, say yes, sunglasses don't work that well.

 

I wasn't aware that the pain that gasoline can cause when put into the human body was a secret. I hope there are no permanent damages...
I also have learned (several times) about the benefits of proper safety gear. My whole family just says I'm hard headed.