1989 Ranger 2.3 rough running and stalling

[99redwj]

Hello,
Recently acquired a 1989 ranger 2.3 manual which was leaking oil badly.Turns out it had no gasket on the oil pan.Decided to pull the motor and trans to freshen up abit.
Replaced:
Oil pan gasket
Valve cover gasket
water pump
Timing belt and tensioner
plugs and wires
serpentine belt
crank pulley and crank sensor
thermostat and coolant temp sensor
oil pump and pick up
fuel filter
fuel pump
transmission shifter,fluid,mount
manifold and muffler
and all fluids
Anyways started the truck after the rebuild and ran great for 45 min that I had it running for.Came back 2 days later and fired it up again and would backfire and surge nor idle enough to check the OD1 codes.I traced it back to a unplugged vacuum line and IAC which I also replaced the TPS while I was there.Still acting the same and I'm stumped.I was hoping someone would have some idea of what happened and how to fix it.

 

[Big Jim M]

Backfire is lean fuel or too much timing. So you are possibly getting too much air in the mixture. Might be from a cold engine and the mixture isn't getting the needed extra fuel for a cold engine. Could also be from a leaky intake. AND check the timing.
Big Jim

 

[99redwj]

I say backfiring as its the closest way to describe it, its a loud puffing and popping.Ill put a timing light on it but not sure that could be it.

 

[ramzzhakim]

Sounds to me like a vacuum line somewhere along the way got bent or not connected. Timing could be another issue here, did you bump any of the sprockets when you swapped belts? If you were diligent and sure you didnt then id move more towards TB/ MAF/IAC area. Make sure there isnt a leak in the mounting gasket on em. Check the simple things 1st.

 

[99redwj]

Sounds to me like a vacuum line somewhere along the way got bent or not connected. Timing could be another issue here, did you bump any of the sprockets when you swapped belts? If you were diligent and sure you didnt then id move more towards TB/ MAF/IAC area. Make sure there isnt a leak in the mounting gasket on em. Check the simple things 1st.

I was very cautious with the timing belt swap, but as i said ill shoot a timing light on it this weekend. Also already did a IAC and cleaned and re sealed the TB but i may end up pulling it again to see if i missed a vaccum line. Also may end up doing a compression test.

 

[99redwj]

Well today I got my timing light and compression tester in,So I ran both test.
the compression test was as follows.
#1:165
#2:180
#3:160
#4:180
and the timing light was almost useless with the surging and the computer overreacting.When I did the compression test,I burnt all of the fuel out of the cylinders and did the test and put the plugs in.It ran surprisingly better for about 30 secs and then went back to what it was.I captured a video of the idle from the cab.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GTQVHROO0JM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Big Jim M]

If the belt is one cog off you will need to take it back off and install it correctly.
The thing runs like it is too lean. The fuel in the cylinders when you frst started again made it run smoother until it was burnt off.
Big JIm

 

[99redwj]

If the belt is one cog off you will need to take it back off and install it correctly.
The thing runs like it is too lean. The fuel in the cylinders when you frst started again made it run smoother until it was burnt off.
Big JIm

Then why was the initial start up so smooth? I'm almost positive the timing belt isn't off,I have a gut feeling that the fuel pump is being blocked by some trash in the tank or the fuel filter is clogged.Another note is the Injectors are all different brands and varying age,the PO said it had 2 that went bad and were replaced.I'll do some more digging this weekend.

 

[99redwj]

*Update*
I spent a couple weeks running the remaining fuel out of the tank and sucked the rest out with a wet vac. As.As it turns out had alot of water from a leaking fuel sender gasket.Fixed that and Idle was back to normal.So I continued on with the project thinking it was finished,until yesterday fired it up acting the same way.Changed the plugs,fuel filter,alternator,battery,ground cable.Still the same,but when I turn the lights on the truck idles a 950 RPM and drives smooth.So Im thinking its electrical related.Took another video of the change the lights make.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vyNSx9XBWRo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[99redwj]

Any ideas?