2.0L ('83-'88) Timing issues or carburetor issues?

[J.Incognito]

So I was driving my '85 ranger and hit a bump when my ranger just shuddered to a stop. It would start at first but soon it quit completely. So I got a brand new battery, fuel pump, distributor cap, starter, spark plugs, plug wires, fuel sending unit, fuel filter, and the carb says it was remanned 1 1/2 years ago. So when it started giving my problems I replaced all this. I was able to get it to start but wasn't getting compression in cylinder 4.i just changed the head gasket and now I am able to start it. But after running rough for a little bit it will die and gas will spray out of the top of the carb. I keep doing my timing over and over again but everything I set the cam and the timing pulls on TDC and crank it twice it will never be back lined up. It always seems to be a few teeth off. However it runs well for a while then gas out of the carburetor again. What is my real issue here and how do I fix it. I can't seem to get the camshaft timing right or something. Help!

 

[superj]

Did you set the timing just using a gun?

Did you get compression back on number 4?

What vacuum are you pulling?

 

[Uncle Gump]

It would really help to know what engine is in the truck? Once we know the engine size... I or another moderator will move this post to the proper engine forum.

Any time you have fuel coming out of the top of a carb... The float has sunk or is not adjusted properly... you have a bad needle and seat in the carb.... or you have to much fuel pressure and the needle and seat won't hold it.

I say you HAVE to start this repair by correcting the carb issues...

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I would have started with diagnosing it first....or at least throwing way different parts at it. Old spark plugs will make it run crappy, but not just suddenly die over a bump. A starter motor seems far fetched to me as well.
And now that you changed all that stuff, it will be more difficult to diagnose the original problem... now you gotta check the starter wires and grounds around there...and maybe check other wires too, sounds like one may have jolted loose or disconnected. And yes definitely check cyl4 compression again. I would clean the carb or at least inspect it. Sounds like possibly a clogged jet or float valve is sticking. Changing the fuel filter doesn't clean the fuel that is already in the carb. Hope to save you some time and money. Cheers.

 

[J.Incognito]

Ok. Yes I set the timing using the gun. And I got compression back in cylinder 4. All cylinders are reading about 120 to 130. It is a 85 ranger 2.0. I did pulled off the carb and since when i first started having issues I was seeing gas come from the overflow that's what I thought my original problem was. But I called a friend who inspected it. Said it was good and he is the one who helped me find out I wasn't getting compression. I have been thinking of getting a second opinion but that also doesn't change the fact that when I put the timing belt on and crank it twice, my cam timing does not line back up. I have done it like 8 times. Like I said it runs now but will bog and die.

 

[Uncle Gump]

You sure cam timing isn't changing when you're tensioning the belt?

 

[J.Incognito]

I feel like that is happening but don't know how to avoid that. I put the belt on. And crank it 2 full rotations but it seems like every time I do that, it will not realign properly. What can I do to get it right?

 

[RobbieD]

I don't know the 2.0, but . . .

when I put the timing belt on and crank it twice, my cam timing does not line back up

Are you sure the timing belt is correct, and good?

Same with the tensioner.

And, assuming there are keys in the crank and cam pulleys, are the keys present and not sheared?

The craziest problems a lot of times are something simple, and easily overlooked.