Replaced very worn 3.0 in '91 Ranger with rebuilt '96 3.0 from Taurus. Made following changes to '96 motor:
1. replaced '96 head gaskets with new '91 Vulcan gaskets.
2. Installed original '91 distributor.
3. installed original '91 intake manifold and plenum.
4. replaced original injectors with new ones from '96 motor, but used original fuel rail. Original injector electrical connectors snapped right on.
5. installed new oil pressure sender, temp guage sensor, air sensor (the one on driver side of plenum) that were designated for '91.

Engine does not start.
Cranks ok.
Spark ok.
With damper mark at TDC, rotor points at #1, valves are closed, piston is at top. Am pretty sure timing is close to 10 degrees before TDC but without being able to run engine, it is very difficult to set.

At first, plugs were dry but could smell fuel in engine area after cycling ignition switch on/off several times. Pulled a plug again and found moisture, so fuel is there. Inertia switch normal. Purchased new relay for fuel pump; had to try it on all 3 relay circuits because could not determine which was for fuel pump. Still no start.

Could not seperate fuel line at fenderwell, so unable to determine fuel pressure. Used the usual tool, but line would not seperate.

Thought it might be flooded, as gas smell was strong. Tried starting fluid. Floored gas pedal and turned key. Two or three loud pops out front of plenum, but no start.

Any suggestions? Thanks. Mike

 

Ordinarily, I wouldn't do this for troubleshooting, but because it is a rebuilt motor I would do a compression check just to make sure.....

 

Somethng to think about: if the '96 vulcan came out of a FFV, the fuel injectors will be the wrong size for your '91 (FFV injectors are larger than regular gasoline).

 

Thanks Kruse and Rockledge. Never thought about compression problems but it's possible. I have no idea if the '96 was from an FFV car. Do the injectors look any different? Anyway, I will look into it. Thanks.