91 F-150 XLT lariat package, 302, about 130,000 KM on it. Engine has a rough idle (when warm) and lacks oil pressure at idle, again when warm. This has to do with the bearings, and am not worried about that. Recently swapped out alternator after the last one caught fire. Replaced plugs, wires and rotors about 1500 KM ago.

Was backing out of the driveway on my way to school, went over the curb, and the truck just died. Pushed it back into the driveway and then swore a whole bunch and went inside. Delved into the Haynes, not the inertia switch, nor the fuel filter(replaced). Fuel pump primes. The following stats I have taken earlier today.

Compression test: 60 PSI on number 1 cylinder
Fuel pressure test: 40 PSI to fuel rails
Fuel Injectors are getting pulses (inline test from injector lead to + terminal battery)
Distributor Cap rotor does turn when cranking engine, leading me to believe that the timing chain is still functioning. Looked for the cam through the oil cap, piece of steel that blocks view.
Spark is hitting cylinder head. Verified during compression test, as well as the inline tester that I bought and checked on each cylinder.

So what else could I be missing here? Has nothing to do with spark, ruled that out. Timing doesn't have anythign to do with it either, have rotated the distributor while cranking the engine and haven't gotten anything. MAP? TPS? I am at a loss, and kind of want to push the damned thing into a lake, after lighting it on fire.

 

does it start with starting fluid?

did you disconnect battery when playing with the alternator?

 

No on the starter fluid and yes on the alternator. I have done a lot in the past 2 days...hard to remember everything.

 

clearer answers are better.

did you try it with starting fluid or did it not start with starting fluid?

 

Sorry, Tried it with starting fluid and had nothing happen, on the alternator I did disconnect the battery. It had been running fine for like a week after I replaced the alternator. I didn't even hear a snap or anything when it died...just like it ran out of gas.

 

then you have no spark.

or plugs are fouled.

 

I have spark...I have taken out sparkplugs to check this. The ignition coil is sending, distributor is also sending. I really am at loss for what could be the cause.

 

no spark, no air, no fuel are the three things needed to start.

if it will not start on starting fluid, fuel, then it has no spark or no air.

since it probably has air, the conclusion is no spark.

 

Alright...So if there is spark at the plugs, adn it has a new airfilter, and there is enough fuel line pressure...Is there anything else that might have an effect on this thing not starting?

 

Timing, did going over the bump cause the timing chain to jump a tooth?

I'm only guessing here.

Please tell me the 60psi is a misprint.

 

The 91 302 has the cam in the block, not on the head, so it would be pretty hard to see it thru the oil cap.

 

600 KPA/6 bar/75-80 psi. I couldn't find what it should be running at anywhere in the Haynes. Head gasket? Would it cause a no start? For the timing I guess I would have to take off the timing cover and all that...Is there any sign I should be looking for?

 

use a timing light.

 

Timing's good. Starting to think of just rebuilding an engine. Replaced the TPS today as well, didn't do **** all.

 

Should have around 130psi to be a healthy engine. If you only have 80psi then that could be part of your problem. I just went through a month of fighting with my 95 and it turned out to be a broken connection on the negative terminal on the coil. If I pushed it one way it would read good and if I pushed the spade the other way it would read open with the ohm meter. It was sparking good at first and after removing the coil connector a number of times the spark got to be intermittent, and I finally narrowed it down to the coil.

I have been working on an 87 Ranger with a 2.3. When I got it it had a miss. Did a compression check and three cylinders had 110-130psi and one had 80psi. That was where the miss was coming from. Rebuilt it and it runs good with no miss now.

Steve