An '84 BII that's in need of love.

[SenorNoob]

That almost sounds like the new pump moved enough gas to hydro-lock the engine. Surely not.

Edit: Check the oil. Is the level too high?

 

[Hoosierman]

That almost sounds like the new pump moved enough gas to hydro-lock the engine. Surely not.

Edit: Check the oil. Is the level too high?

Oil level is exactly at the full line, no more, no less.

 

[SenorNoob]

That throws that theory under the bus. Good.

 

[SenorNoob]

Hmm. Did cranking it over to check fuel flow drain the battery? Seems like it would have had to be marginal at best beforehand... Really don't have many ideas at this point.

 

[RobbieD]

A couple of thoughts.

Double check for a vacuum leak; as if there's any open hoses or ports, and check that the PCV is connected and functional.

Does it act any differently if you hit it with starting fluid when cranking?

Opening the choke plate and looking down the carb throats, does the carb spray good gas streams when you work the throttle by hand?

I don't think you've done anything yet on the ignition side. Might not hurt to pull a plug or two, and just do a visual. You want to at least check the easy parts where you can, and there's no sense in firing the parts cannon until you have a better idea of what the holdup is on it running.

And, I have found that cursing at the truck sometimes helps.

 

[Hoosierman]

That throws that theory under the bus. Good.

So, the previous owner has replaced the starter solenoid- not sure when. They also replaced the ignition coil. The Captain and rotor look practically brand spanking new. I tried to check the spark plugs, but honestly, they are all in there very good and I would hate to break the sparkplug off.

Edit 'cuz two replied came in the moment I replied.

I will check the carb spray pattern tomorrow.

So when I add starting fluid, it fires up, but dies if I let off the gas pedal.

As for hoses...... Well.... If I showed y'all photos of the engine bay, I have probably 100 questions about what connector goes to what, what line goes where.

And I noticed that the exhaust manifold has a gaping huge hole in it from corrosion...

 

[SenorNoob]

That's some serious corrosion to make a hole in a cast exhaust manifold.

 

[Hoosierman]

Yeah it's quite a large one at that too.

I think some pics made be in order...

 

[SenorNoob]

I would suspect that anything with that much corrosion would be a lost cause. Like how are you ever gonna change spark plugs?... Yes pics.

 

[Hoosierman]

I would suspect that anything with that much corrosion would be a lost cause. Like how are you ever gonna change spark plugs?... Yes pics.

I'll get pics tomorrow in the AM.

The rest of the engine block and the truck in general are very solid. I know that sometimes the PS Pump brackets like to "become one" with the engine, according to my searches, but so far I haven't run into any serious rust on the engine block, it's just the one area on the manifold. And the PO attached some sort of dryer vent to it too.

 

[SenorNoob]

Now I'm really curious.

 

[JoshT]

And the PO attached some sort of dryer vent to it too.

Some vehicles had a dryer vent like thing from the factory that connected to the air cleaner and pulled warm air from around the exhaust manifolds. A preheater of sorts for intake air. Kind of back asswards from cold air making more power, but it was a thing that they did. Maybe to combat carb icing and reduce warmup time in the cold weather?

 

[Hoosierman]

Some vehicles had a dryer vent like thing from the factory that connected to the air cleaner and pulled warm air from around the exhaust manifolds. A preheater of sorts for intake air. Kind of back asswards from cold air making more power, but it was a thing that they did. Maybe to combat carb icing and reduce warmup time in the cold weather?

Holy education, Batman!

I did not know that was a thing!

 

[SenorNoob]

Not just for carbs. My 2.9 and 1st 4.0 manifolds were setup for it.
I kinda wondered if that's what OP was talking about.

 

[Hoosierman]

Not just for carbs. My 2.9 and 1st 4.0 manifolds were setup for it.
I kinda wondered if that's what OP was talking about.

Well... My '88 Ranger doesn't have that, but the PO did a lot of thoughtful work to it, could have taken it off. My dad's '90 with the 4-banger didn't have it... At least I don't recall but it's been nearly 30 years. And neither my neighbor's '90 had it, not the '88 GT that I passed over for this Bronco had it.

It makes me wonder if it was some sort of option?

In any case, before I get pics in the morning, I read (I think on here from a search) the headers market for the 2.8 is rather scarce.