Other than that stuff I don't know what else to say. The newest vehicle I've got is my 87 stang and that's speed density. I don't understand much of it yet.

 

Dont know alot about new stuff. Old school backfiring issues were 95% timing related. Or more. When all else fails go back to basics. Fuel,Fire,Air and it all has to arrive at the right time. Even computers havent changed that.

 

As true as this is, computers have changed it a bit. Fuel, air, and spark will run the motor but the computer tells it when to fire and such. I don't know poo about that section of these things. My 78 is simple enough that I can fix it fine but these darn EFI stuff, it gets confusing some times.

 

no comment on valve adjustment though???

if your valves are not opening at the right times and staying open for the right amount of time, this could cause a running issue.

 

Hmm well I'll make sure to check all the suggestions.

Here are a few more things I've noticed/done:

-I checked the wiring from the SPOUT connector to the TFI and PCM. The wiring is good based on my multimeter.

-rechecked wiring/plugs they are all good and in the correct order

-Hooked up my vacuum gauge to the throttle body again and the vacuum held steady so I don't believe i have a vacuum leak.

-I looked more closely at my harmonic balancer. I think I mentioned it before, but the rubber has been squishing out slightly on both sides. I noticed the balancer itself seems to have a small wobble to it also. I purchased a new one from napa today and am going to install it

-I also ordered another remanufactured distributor because it has a lifetime warranty so I figured maybe the PIP sensor is going bad in the distributor that I got.

I have NOT yet cleaned the MAF sensor again (cleaned it about 2 months ago), but I just got home and have the cleaner in my garage so I will do that today. I am hoping that changing the harmonic balancer and distributor will alleviate my problems but if not then I will do more searching!

BigGGreen, I have not checked the valve adjustment. I do not know exactly how to do this because tearing into the engine is a very new thing for me. Is this just checking pushrod length? I did NOT do that because I didn't have a tool and was too scared to turn the crank with the distributor out. AFR's insurrections for their heads said to use the stock length pushrods and because I used the original rockers too, I used the stock pushrods. I then had to turn the crank later anyways because I took the timing cover off... Anyways, how would I go about checking the valve adjustment now that everything is back together? Hopefully it isn't too hard. One thing I find weird is that with the SPOUT connector out, I don't have the drive ability issues, which makes me think more along the lines of timing.

Edit: Just realized the harmonic balancer I bought is a 28oz and I think I need a 50oz one.... my old one is a little bigger so I don't want to put this new one on.... I'll have to try and find a place to get the correct one.

 

I am not too sure what a spout connector is


but on the valves, if those new heads were ever machined, this could throw off the valve adjustment, along with many other things that could.

personally i have never cheked for valve adjustment on one of these, so you should search it and find some info, but traditionally you just pop the valve covers off and set the valves at certain specs at TDC and BDC

 

Well with the heads they were brand new so they weren't machined luckily. I don't know when the spout was introduced, or what it stands for, but I think it was something with fuel injected stuff. Its connected between the TFI module and the PCM. It's just a small plug that connects the circuit between the two or something. With it out, the timing stays locked I think, while with it in, the computer can adjust the timing or something.


I ended up getting another re manufactured distributor from O'reillys because it has a lifetime warranty. As far as I can tell, the "new" distributor has fixed the issue. I have had no backfiring or hesitation/stumbling after I installed it. I went on the highway, and drove within the city and the issues are gone!!!

HOWEVER... I have an engine code p0411 come up now.... apparatnly something wrong with the "secondary air" injection system or something. I'm not too sure what to look for. Maybe the smog pump or something? This is completely new to me.

ALSO I noticed my belt is NOT lining up properly after driving. It starts to go over the lip of the crank pulley, and seems to be a little further towards the front of the waterpump pulley than it should. I don't know why it would want to work its way up because everything seems lined up to me. It seems to be about 1/8th inch forward from where it should be, and it started to rip my old belt. Luckily I had a spare.. now I have to figure out why the belt wants to be in this awkward position....... At least I fixed the stumbling/backfiring!!!

 

Good to hear ya got it figured out, sadly to only find another problem, it never stops huh

 

Yeah it's frustrating! At least these problems don't seem as severe.

Maybe the power steering pulley worked its way out a little bit when I unbolted the bracket, causing the belt to ride slightly too far forward on the water pump pulley, causing it to walk a rub forward on the crank. Everything else lines up, but it will eat at my belt it I leave it like that....

I'm hoping the p0411 code is pretty simple to fix. I think it's either from the air pump tunbing, or the vacuum valves behind the upper intake. They were working fine before I dissembled everything, so maybe I'll recheck the vacuum lines and make sure they are on tight enough. I think that would cause a vacuum leak if they weren't, but maybe it's too small for my vacuum gauge to catch. I guess I'll find out after I get out of class today.

 

The SPOUT connector certainly is an EFI thing. It sometimes hangs off the distributor. Think of it as the vacuum line on an older motor, it controls the timing advance as the motor is operated. Older setups used vacuum from the motor, EFI has the computer for this stuff.

 

Well I rented a pulley installer and tried to see if I could push the power steering pulley on more. It did go just a tiny bit further on and now the belt lines back up!

When I unbolted the bracket, it slipped a hit something semi-hard so I guess that pushed the pulley out slightly. I'm glad I don't have to worry about the belt now!

I checked my vacuum lines again and couldn't find anything wrong. I tired pushing the connections on a little more to see if that will do anything with the p0411 code. I cleared it today and it hasn't come back with a few trips around town so hopefully that's fixed too!

When I get a chance, I'll post up pictures of how my engine looks now that everything is back together and working well!!

 

Alright finally got some pictures now that everything is all back and working again properly. I cleaned my codes and they haven't come back yet, but I'll wait and see about that.

Anyways, here is what my engine looks like now that everything is back and in order!

Well first, here is the before without the air tube filer:



Then after:







Here is the oil pan area too, as you can tell, I didn't fully sand the old paint off so you can see some texture, but it looks much better than it did before!



Here's another picture too!



And one more of the outside of my Bronco!

 

That looks good bud. You did some nice work.

 

lookin good!

 

Alright, some time ago, I closed my hood on a wratchet I had sitting on top of the grill. It ended up cracking the top drivers side and bubbling part of the molding. It wasn't super obvious, but it really annoyed me. About two years ago, someone gave me their old grill because they got a different style.

So today I finally painted the non chrome parts of the "new" grill to freshen it up and cleaned up the chrome a bit! It has some bad scratches on it, but they aren't too noticeable. It's also not cracked and messed up like my old grill!

Here is the old grill:


And the "new":


Also, I painted the metal portion of the underhood where the belt stickers and jack lever are kept. That area was scratched up pretty bad, so I got some spray paint that looked the same and gave it a few coats:


I hope it holds up! I think it looks much better, despite it being a piece that no one will ever really pay attention to!