If any has the diagram for the 86 Ranger(Manual transmission,2.3L 4-cyl,FI) please send it to me. I have just redone the entire engine, transmission, etc. The engine will sputter and cough but wont start. The spark plugs/wirers are new along with the distributor and $500 worth of parts. All seems fine but, there is something wrong with the wiring, so... i need the diagram. thank you to anyone that sends me it or sends me info on how to get it!

 

If she is sputtering and coughing while cranking,I will assume the plug wires are crossed ,or, the timing is off,but,if you just redid the engine you should have had a manual,right, to verify fire order and timing locators.Anyway, here is what I'd do.Start by double checking the timing belt:bring the crank to zero,look at the cam mark through the hole,and check that rotor is pointing to the #1 terminal on the cap.If that checks,lets verify the fire order which is 1-3-4-2 in a clockwise direction around the cap.Now lets check the timing while cranking with a timing light hooked to #1 cyl..If you have enough spark to operate the light while cranking,you will see the marks for 10 degrees{with the spout wire unplugged of coarse}and the slot on the balancer.Turn the dist. to get these to line up as close as possible.By now,if you have fuel pressure,that baby ought to be running.Let us know what you find out.
Phillip

 

Phillip-the wiring(spark plug) for the truck is perfect. We(me and uncle)have everything in correct order, the sparks are sparking and we've double and triple checked the plug wires/distributor. The problem is... it will only run on laquer(sp?)thinner, which is paint thinner, for about 5 seconds. The engine cranks, and the timing is correct. It finally started but back-fired, only this time it didnt backfire out the exhaust, it backfired through the carb/throttle control. Could it be the catalyitic converter? well, thanks for all your help, i'll take your advise and check the timing and wiring.

-Ed

 

because it does "run" on "fuel" that you forced into the intake! Apperently you are not getting fuel past the injectors for some reason,whether it is fuel delivery or electrical.Also,depending on how long the truck sat while you were redoing the engine,the gas in the tank just may have gone stale and doesn't have the "umph" to ignite under pressure.
Phillip