1987 V-6 2.9 L rebuild
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Trailering
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
1987 V-6 2.9 L rebuild
Help!
I rebuilt my 2.9 L V-6. It is all together with engine back in truck. I have good compression, spark, fuel to the shrader valve, spark to the plugs. I believe I have the distributor timed correctly.
Problem: Won't start.
.
I sprayed a little fuel in the intake and it ran on the #6 cylinder only (judging by the plugs) No other plug showed any action.
.
How do I check the injectors to see if they are working? (I had them flow tested and rebuilt for the engine overhaul project)
OldGrassHopper
I rebuilt my 2.9 L V-6. It is all together with engine back in truck. I have good compression, spark, fuel to the shrader valve, spark to the plugs. I believe I have the distributor timed correctly.
Problem: Won't start.
.
I sprayed a little fuel in the intake and it ran on the #6 cylinder only (judging by the plugs) No other plug showed any action.
.
How do I check the injectors to see if they are working? (I had them flow tested and rebuilt for the engine overhaul project)
OldGrassHopper
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
If the fuel injection system on your '87 2.9L works the same way as on the newer Fords, then you can test the injectors by hooking up a test lamp to each injector harness and look for a flashing light.
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Trailering
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 22
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I have a noid light and it showed the injector working. I did not put the noid light on each of the 6 injectors. I have to believe if there is power to one of them there will be power to the other 5.
I think I will buy a new set. Are Bostech injectors good? Are there other brands that are better. The person that cleaned and tested the original set is not in business any longer. A set from Bostech is about $150 whereas the Ford dealer cost is about $500 for the set.
I really need to get this running. I have been at it for several years and need to finish it and get it out of my garage.
oldgrasshopper
I think I will buy a new set. Are Bostech injectors good? Are there other brands that are better. The person that cleaned and tested the original set is not in business any longer. A set from Bostech is about $150 whereas the Ford dealer cost is about $500 for the set.
I really need to get this running. I have been at it for several years and need to finish it and get it out of my garage.
oldgrasshopper
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
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From: SoCal
FWIW any fuel thats sprayed into the intake, bypasses the injectors & is sucked into the cylinders thru the intake valves.
The injectors have 12 volts to them on solid red. The PCM batch fires them 3 at a time. Not sure why you think the injectors are bad
The injectors have 12 volts to them on solid red. The PCM batch fires them 3 at a time. Not sure why you think the injectors are bad
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,533
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From: Dexter, MI
Have you checked the timing. You said that you believe the distributor is set correctly. A little time with a timing light will let you know for sure. I'd do that before replacing the injectors - at $150 for a set, that's still expensive.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,907
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From: suburban atlanta
Put the crankshaft at 10 degrees before TDC for #1. Rotate the distributor opposite the direction the vacuum advance pulls the internal parts. Turn the key to 'on'. Rotate the distributor in the direction the advance pulls until you hear the coil fire, or put a sparkplug on the block where the shell is grounded and connect the #1 plug wire and watch for spark. Stop, lock down the distributor. You have set static timing that should let your engine start and run without problem.
Be careful that the engine doesn't start, but it is unlikely.
It is unlikely that all of the injectors except #6 have failed. Did you try some starting ether? You can also use WD40 to start an engine. Spray it in, and let the throttle body close, and then try to start it. If it fires on ether or WD, then you have a fuel problem.
tom
Be careful that the engine doesn't start, but it is unlikely.
It is unlikely that all of the injectors except #6 have failed. Did you try some starting ether? You can also use WD40 to start an engine. Spray it in, and let the throttle body close, and then try to start it. If it fires on ether or WD, then you have a fuel problem.
tom
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 786
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From: Reno nv
sounds like you may have done my favorite thing, plug wires on the wrong way, see above to tell.
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Trailering
Joined: Feb 2005
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running out of options!
I rechecked the timing, distributor, wiring, etc. Reassembled everything. The engine will run on starting fluid so it must be put together correctly. I can't believe all 6 injectors would be bad except they were all refurbed by the same guy at the same time. Any other possibilities before I buy a new set of injectors? What else could cause all the injectors not to work?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: suburban atlanta
FWIW, the injectors have 12v supplied to them when the key is 'on'. The ECM supplies ground to them in sets of three as XLT said. You may be looking at a new ECM. Before spending the dough on a full set, check the pressure in the fuel rail. Push in the center of the schrader valve to see if you have fuel pressure, or use a gauge. How old is the fuel in the tank? Can you feel the injectors pulse as you crank it over? If you have good fuel, under pressure, and the injectors pulse but it won't run, then the injectors just may not work. Be sure to get the correct part as you can run into problems with wrong sized injectors.
tom
tom
Last edited by tomw; Aug 27, 2009 at 06:28 AM. Reason: yeah
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