Fuel? Spark? Problem
 

Hello guys. I'd like to say a late "happy hollidays" to everyone. If anyone got a blower or turbo/s for X-mas without paying at least $50.00- is spoiled rotten he-he. Anyway, this is my problem;
After driving my 91' LX 5.0 for a little while, I can't get the engine to fire up on the first few cranks. It will just turn over, sputter a little, then die. After about 5 or six tries of completely turning "on" the ignition on and "off" again- it will crank up. Now, I can hear my fuel pump prime up every time. When the car is cold- it cranks up every time. Ideas? Thanks

Just me
91'lx, 302 block, crank pulley, no smog, short belt, Wolverine 1087 cam, 15 deg timing, TFS TW heads, motorsport 1.6 3/8 stud RR, ARP studs, TFS chrome hardened push rods, 24lb inj, BBK 255lph fuel pump, Areomotive billet adj FPR, Performer RPM intake(ported to 75mm), 1" spacer, Motorsport polished tall valve covers(love em), Pro-M 77, Acufab 75mm TB, Ford idle air bypass valve, K&N conical, MSD 6AL and coil, 9mm MS cables, NGK bkr5e 11 plugs@55, motorsport 3 core radiator,160 thermostat, Hurst short throw, motorsport 410 gears, aluminum drive shaft,Kenny brown Subs, Mac 1 3/4"Long tube, custom 3"off road xpipe, 2 chamber Flow Masters, 3 1/2" tailpipes HAL tubular K-member, KYB struts and shocks, Eibach springs, Steeda 2.5" Cowl, Steeda rear wing, black Dupont centari acrylic enamel paint.

Re: Fuel? Spark? Problem
 

The first thing I'd replace is the ignition module. This could be the culprit and worth changing cause even if it doesn't fix it, you will have a spare one.

Re: Fuel? Spark? Problem
 

You never know...you could have bought some dirty gas somewhere. Have you replaced the fuel filter recently?

Re: Fuel? Spark? Problem
 

Thanks guys. I'm going to change the ignition module for sure. I didn't think of that- and I haven't changed it in yeeeaarrss. About the bad gas, I wouldn't doubt it. I'm going to fill up at another station. Thanks again.
JMe

Re: Fuel? Spark? Problem
 

Sounds to me like the fuel pump is allowing the fuel pressure to bleed back when you shut it off. My car had a similar problem. Hook up a fuel pressure gauge and see if the pressure drops off when you kill the engine. The fuel pressure regulator may also be bleeding off. Not sure if you car has the plastic lines like mine but if it doesnt take a pair of vice grips and block off the return. If the car holds pressure youll need a regulator, if not time for a fuel pump.

Re: Fuel? Spark? Problem
 

Check your spark too. When it acts up, pull your coil wire going to the distributor off from the coil and see if it sparks consistently as one of your buddies cranks it over. Make sure no gas is present when you do this!!! It should have a healthy constant spark. If not, clean the connector spout that plugs into the coil. It's prone to dirt buildup and causes intermittent electric problems. Ford puts a cheesy plastic cover over the coil from the factory, but they usually break off and people never replace them.

Re: Fuel? Spark? Problem
 

I had a problem similar to yours and it turned out to be some bad grounds. Are you noticing any sort of electrical disturbances in the car? The fuel pump fluctuating, gauges slowly bobbing, power dimming and then coming back. It was this simple problem that took me quite some time to figure out. I did not have enough SOLID grounds for the block and battery in the trunk.