chris1 Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 I just finished installing a new non jet valve head, Ajusa gasket, and arp studs on my 87 starion. Rebuilt the throttle body, and did pretty maximal vacuum deletes based on write ups found here. The injectors are not stock and require spacers in the TB to accommodate their increased height. The car has a dead miss now that is unaffected when #2 and #4 plug wires are removed although they are both getting plenty of spark. Can you guys give me some ideas of where to start looking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Phil Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Prolly have valves hanging open. Mechanical or Hyd lifters? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ucw458 Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Check for broken spark plugs. If the ceramic is cracked the spark will jump to the head instead of in the cyl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC_99 Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Do a compression check to determine if a valve isn't closing or seated properly. BC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1 Posted February 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 I have brand new plugs in. I cut my compression gauge in half to build a tool to pressurize the cylinders while I replaced valve stem seals a while back so I'll have to pick up another one before I can check compression. I did, however, pressurize cylinder 4 and it held...It has hydraulic lifters. I did some searching on here and found mention of hyd. lifters holding a valve open if they weren't compressed fully before reinstalling. I'm guessing my problem is there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 You need to bleed the lifters before install, they need to be "squishy". Why not test #2 cyl? Dad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1 Posted February 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 (edited) Thank you randy. I'm confident that's where I went wrong. I paid almost no attention to my lifters at all during the install. As soon as I get my twins down for a nap I'm heading back out to the shop to re-assess. I'll post back once the lifters have been properly addressed. Edited February 15, 2015 by chris1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
importwarrior Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 also checki the rotor on the distributor is making contact to the center brush on the CAP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ucw458 Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 I have brand new plugs in. Doesn't matter. I built a v8 once that ran like crap when I got it going. I found 3 of the plugs were cracked. Changed the plugs and the motor purred. It may not be your issue but it's worth looking at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1 Posted February 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Thank you. Heading back with a compression gauge now and will carefully inspect the plugs when I pull them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1 Posted February 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Soooo 120 psi on the nose on all four cylinders, no visible defects or damage on the plugs.I did notice white residue on plugs from cylinders 1&3. Is there anything that could restrict fuel delivery to specific cylinders?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarquestRescue Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Are you sure the plug wires are on right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1 Posted February 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 1,3,2,4 firing order right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 1-3-4-2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1 Posted February 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Oh geez. Building some Accel wires now. If that is what I had wrong in gonna feel like an idiot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 But you will be happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ucw458 Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 LOL well at least it's nothing major. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1 Posted February 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Oh. Man. How's that saying go? Better to keep quiet and have everyone think you're an idiot than to speak and remove all doubt? Hope I never have to see any of you in person! How embarrassing. Thank you guys, she's purring like a kitten! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarquestRescue Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Some times it is the little things we are sure we could not have screwed up or think we have already ruled out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ucw458 Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 I have not heard that saying, but it's a funny one. Don't sweat it. We all mess up simple stuff from time to time. Years ago when I worked in an auto parts store I had a female co-worker who did simple tasks for customers on the side. Little stuff like changing batteries and simple repairs. Well she called me one time to help her get a car running. She changed the wires, cap and rotor on a v6 and it wouldn't start. She claimed she changed one wire at a time so she didn't mess it up. When I looked at it only 2 plug wires were in the right place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
importwarrior Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Glad you got it working The dumbest question is the one not asked. I would rather ask then go on not knowing. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1 Posted February 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 (edited) Thank you guys for all of your time and answers. I have a buddy's engine he bought already rebuilt sitting on an engine stand in my shop. Why I referenced that as opposed to the shop manual laying next to it when attempting to determine firing order I'll never know. Especially with how bad it was missing! Oh well. Of course we got like 2 inches of ice as soon as I finished it up! Edited February 18, 2015 by chris1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Phil Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 (edited) happens, thanks for letting us know it was resolved. Edited February 19, 2015 by Funky Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twojayzeestarion Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Just had the same issue. Put a new nj head on my 89 quest then it seemed to have a blown hg. Wasn't missing fluid. Tried different firing order ended up being a bent valve had to pull the head and start again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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