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[joekurr21]

Replaced the head gasket and now the truck won't start. 1988 Ranger 2.3

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[Mark_88]

Well, not much information in that post...does it crank over? Did you replace the timing belt also and can you see the cam gear spinning? If that much is OK...the next step is checking that it is getting what it needs:

Spark, air, gas...

Try a shot of quick start in the throttle and if it coughs or starts it could be a fuel supply problem...

Might be better to list what you've done, what it's doing when you turn the key, and that you've checked the first two things here...

 

[tomw]

I would check that the cam timing is correct. Rotate the crankshaft to get the timing marker at TDC. Remove the rubber plug behind the upper radiator hose on the belt cover and check that the triangle on the cam sprocket is aligned with the pointer. The pointer may just be a 'tic' on the casting, rather hidden, or may be an actual pointer, vintage dependent. If you have to time your pump / dist sprocket, check that also.
If the triangle is not apparent, rotate the crank 360(one turn), and the cam will do a 1/2 turn which may align the pointers. If they align, put the plug(s) back and check for fuel and spark. The pump should run for a few seconds, and pressurize the system on each cycle of the key from OFF to ON. The plugs should spark (passenger/exhaust side for dual-plug heads) when the engine is cranked over by the starter motor.
tom

 

[joekurr21]

It's getting fuel and air but no spark. There's spark at the distributor (did the shock yourself test with my hand on the distributor while a friend tried to start it) but no spark from the plugs

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[joekurr21]

And it had a backfire when I first tried to start it

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[Mark_88]

If it backfired that means it was getting spark initially. And if there is spark at the distributor then either your rotor has broken or there is a problem with the seating of the cap. The four plug head should be easy enough to determine where the problem is...might be something with the distributor itself...like the rotor is not actually turning...meaning you've sheered the gear...

Pull the distributor cap and slowly crank the engine by hand...if the rotor does not turn you may need to pull the distributor out and check the gear...

There was a rash of that gear shearing for some reason and replacing the gear was the only way to correct...either that or the tiny roll pin has either fallen out or sheered.

Did you pull the distributor when you changed the head gasket?

 

[joekurr21]

I didn't pull the distributor. Just checked for spark at the plugs and I'm getting spark. I also just got off the phone with my dad and he thinks my timing is 180* off. Could that be the issue as well?

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[cp2295]

Get an inline spark tester cheap at parts stores and Better than shocking yourself make sure u have spark at each plug. If you do then know that part of everything is okay and to go back and check your work. Make sure the timing is correct and also make sure as others have said that the distributor rotor is spinning


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[Mark_88]

I didn't pull the distributor. Just checked for spark at the plugs and I'm getting spark. I also just got off the phone with my dad and he thinks my timing is 180* off. Could that be the issue as well?

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Definitely! Very easy to get the timing out by that much...four stroke engine...two crank revolutions per cam revolution...test for the compression cycle by pulling the #1plug and putting your thumb over the hole...crank the engine...if you feel pushing pressure against the thumb then you are on the compression stroke.

Move it to TDC and set the cam pointer to 5 o'clock if you don't have an actual peg to line it with. That should put you in the right phase.

 

[joekurr21]

Update: I got the truck running again and it sounds and drives better than it did before.

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[tomw]

Update: I got the truck running again and it sounds and drives better than it did before.


Well, what was wrong? What did you do to fix it?

tom

 

[joekurr21]

Lol it was 180* off. And my distributor gear was trying to fire on 2 instead of 1

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