1988 2.9L Fuel Issues PLEASE HELP! Scratching head on this one!

[Uncle Gump]

Diagnostic Procedure

1. Did you fool with it before you had problems?

 

[larams2380]

No. Had firing order off one hole....all fixed now

 

[Uncle Gump]

Well if you had the firing order off... you fooled with it.

My point is be sure to double check your work before diagnosing other stuff

 

[RonD]

Good work

If I had a nickle for every time I goofed up a firing order..................I would have a TRUCKLOAD of nickles, and we are not talking about Ranger truckload, this would have to be one of those big a$$ haulers with 12ft tires

 

[larams2380]

Thank you RonD for the uplifting comment! Feel foolish but will know better next time!

 

[larams2380]

Thank you RonD for the uplifting comment! Feel foolish but will know better next time!

Ron D should the slip yoke and shaft four the four wheel drive be able to rotate back and forth by hand? have a loud clunking sound when driving over potholes and such and this is the only loose thing that I can find.

 

[RonD]

You won't remember, and even if you do you will SWEAR on your life that the firing order is CORRECT, ask me how I know..........wait don't ask, its embarrassing

If transfer case is in 2WD and hubs are unlocked front drive shaft should spin
Shift in to 4WD and test again, this will lock the front drive shaft to rear drive shaft
If u-joints feel loose replace them

There are also u-joints on the axles
You have a TTB front axle, seen here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/ford-ranger-4x4-front-axles-1983-1997/

Ball joint, radius arm bushings, are common "clunks" especially when hitting a bump
Warn U-joints tend to "clunk" when speeding up or slowing down

If you ever replace a ball joint also replace axle u-joint at that time

 

[larams2380]

You won't remember, and even if you do you will SWEAR on your life that the firing order is CORRECT, ask me how I know..........wait don't ask, its embarrassing

If transfer case is in 2WD and hubs are unlocked front drive shaft should spin
Shift in to 4WD and test again, this will lock the front drive shaft to rear drive shaft
If u-joints feel loose replace them

There are also u-joints on the axles
You have a TTB front axle, seen here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/ford-ranger-4x4-front-axles-1983-1997/

Ball joint, radius arm bushings, are common "clunks" especially when hitting a bump
Warn U-joints tend to "clunk" when speeding up or slowing down

thank you!!!