Sorry for the long post, but i need help bad. ok i just bought my 92 f150 5.0 v8 a few weeks back. I posted about my horrible gas milage so i changed a few things and am now having a big problem. First i changed out the coolant temp sensor. I then changed out the thermostat and coolant. I got new spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor. When i changed the wires, i traced them and made a little map. I reinstalled the new ones and did it the way i took them out. The truck seemed like it wanted to stall when i turned it on, and when i went to push the gas, it really wanted to stall. So i went on the internet and found a different way to wire it, did that, the truck started then immediately stalled. So i found another map, and it didn't start. Eventually i went back to the original and it started, but still a little sluggish. So i was driving to work on the expressway and the truck started jumping while on the gas, i thought the trans was slipping and about to drop. So i pulled over, as i pulled over the engine started smoking really bad. I checked and the radiator flush kit hose cap came off and but coolant all over the engine. I got a ride to work and sent my brother to retrieve my truck. He put on a new cap, filled it and drove about 1/4 mile and truck completely died and would not restart. Later i was told it was vapor lock. So i unscrewed the gas caps and it stared, with the engine still jumping randomly but i got it home. I then read that i should take of the radiator cap to let the truck run for 30 min's to get any air out, i check after 20, still going strong, came back out after 30. Truck wont start. I cant get it restarted. What can i do to fix my truck?

 

first thing i would do is make sure the firing order is right, make sure the rotor in the distributer is timed right and check all the vacuum hoses, my truck seemed likeit wanted to stall when i barely steped on the gas, so i changed the two vacuum lines right on top of the engine because they were pretty dryrotted, and it seems to be accelerating a whole lot better

 

I am trying to figure out all of these spark plug "maps" you used. There is only one correct way to do it...

 

so is this what you think the problem is?

 

ok, the plugs are hooked up correctly now and still problems. The truck is turning over like it wants to start, but nothing. I got it to start once, it sputtered and died. Any suggestions,? Could it be the fuel pump and how can i test it?

 

Have you changed the fuel filter?

 

can you hear the fuel pump? yea definately check the fuel filter.
and just to make sure the firing order is right for your engine-

cylinder order
front
5 1
6 2
7 3
8 4

firing order
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8

and if none of that is the issue then you may want to pull the distributor out and put the engine on cylinder 1 at tdc on its compression stroke, then set the distributor in with it set on cylinder 1.

 

I have a Haynes book with all the wiring for your truck. if you want i can take a snapshot of it and post it.