Truck cranks but won't start

[eduardo95]

I have a 1988 ford ranger 2.3l that I recently rebuilt the motor. I'm encountering the problem where he truck will crank but it won't start.. It has new spark plugs, wires, distributor, but yet it won't start.. I can smell a strong fuel odor every time I crank it.. Also there are two wires from the harness that are not connected and that's because I know not where they connect to..

Everything else seems to be fine in terms of the engine harness.

Any input would be very helpful! Thanks in advance..

This is my truck by the way


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RonD]

Have you checked for spark at the plugs?

Did it start after the rebuild?

If not maybe distributor is in backwards, with a 4 stroke engine the piston goes up and down two times for each full cycle.
So there are two Top Dead Centers(TDCs) on each cycle, if you installed distributor on #1 but on the exhaust TDC then engine would not be getting a spark when it needs it, TDC on the compression stroke.

Remove #1 spark plug and check the end for fuel, if it is "wet" the fuel is working.
Now rotate the engine manually until you hear(feel with your finger) the compression coming out of #1 spark plug hole, rotate engine until at the TDC mark, that will be the compression stroke for #1
Pull off distributor cap and make sure rotor is pointed at #1 spark plug wire connection on the cap, if it is pointed at #4 then distributor is backwards, 180deg out.
Pull it out and rotate it so rotor is pointed at #1

 

[eduardo95]

Rond, will try that as soon as I get some time off from work..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk