working like junk

[Boggin]

hey guys i got an 88 bronco II that works like hell, i changed plugs, air filter, fuel filter, and lines and the truck still works very poorly, she will run for a couple mins then shut off. she also has no power. any ideas? also she has no exhaust from the ypipe so would that cause some of it?
thanks

 

[Shran]

Make sure you have spark and compression in every cylinder, the plug wires, cap, rotor, and distributor are OK, and that you have adequate fuel pressure for starters

Exhaust should have nothing to do with it

 

[Boggin]

thanks alot. and is it ok to run a straight line for the return line? i mean without using a filter, just a filter for the line going to the engine from the tank? and one of my buddys (who knows alot about rangers) said i need a cat and exhaust for her to work right. thanks

 

[Shran]

Return line - yeah that's fine. The return isn't pressurized.

Cat and exhaust are not "necessary" - you do need backpressure from exhaust components but it doesn't have a significant effect on how the engine runs. The 2.9 in my B2 has nothing beyond the y-pipe at the moment and besides being ultra loud it runs fine.

 

[Boggin]

ok thanks again. i have another tank here ill put in her then clean the injectors. i already got new lines and filter on her

 

[heptofite]

replace the TFI module on the back of the dissy.

 

[Boggin]

do the distributor have to come out for that? is there any special tools req'd

 

[heptofite]

get the TFI tool from autozone, it'll save you headache.
(well, whatver you guys have in the great white north)

just put your arms around the engine, reach around behind it, stick the 5mm thin-wall socket end of it into the holes on the back, take the screws out, pull it directly down, pull it around the engine once it unplugs from the dissy, then disconnect the wiring harness and put a new one in by reversing the procedure.

i did it in the napa parking lot in five minutes and i'd never done it before in my life.

 

[Boggin]

ok, thanks alot ill try this

 

[Boggin]

would it make it any easier to remove the dizzy cap?

 

[heptofite]

nah, no need, hold on i'll get you a picture of what i'm talking about, the cap can stay on

it's just like this, you just gotta do it with your arms around the upper intake and it's facing the firewall, taking the cap off would be more work than it's worth.

 

[Boggin]

that was a big help lol thanks i even got the part number haha

how much are these?

 

[heptofite]

35 dollars give or take.

 

[Boggin]

just remembered, i have a spare 2.9 im not sure if the motor runs or not but i have it stripped down now, the pervious owner said it was perfect so i think ill try the tfi from that one and if not ill probably buy one. but for the sake of 35 bucks i might just get a new one anyway

 

[heptofite]

buy motorcraft if you can, this isn't something you wanna cheap out on.