Have a 97 4.2 that won’t start. Cranks till the sun goes down but doesn’t even hit like it wants to start. I’ve pressed the Valve on the fuel line to see if I had pressure and it shot out fuel pretty good. I tested each plug for spark and they all had it. Made sure plug wires were ran correctly and they were. Can’t find the problem of why it won’t start. This all happened after changing the intake manifold gaskets

 

Have you tried holding the gas pedal down just a bit? If it starts the IAC is stuck closed. Also, rent/borrow a fuel pressure gauge from a parts store, minimum 28 psi or it won't start.

 

I’ve held it kind of and it sounded like it was wanting to go. I’ve had it wide and it wouldn’t go. Tomorrow I’ll grab the fuel pressure gauge. If I take the IAC off to clean it, would it start with correct fuel pressure?

 

Holding it wide open shuts the injectors off, so it wouldn't start unless it's flooded.

 

Ok thank you. I’ll keep you updated on if it starts. Any reason for the backfire though? Plugs are wired right and it backfired so hard it blew the air filter off.

 

I'm assuming the truck was able to start and run before you changed the gaskets?

 

I'm betting you do NOT have the plug wires correct.

 

yes it did start but was burning coolant.

 

im almost 100% positive they’re correct. I’ve Used this diagram to wire them back. I will re check the wiring though.

 

Did you also change the timing cover gasket in addition to the intake upper and lower gaskets? They all need to be done on the 97 and early 98 engines. You are fortunate that you didn't hydrolock it.

 

i haven’t changed the timing cover gasket. I did not know that was needed. Just upper and lower intake gaskets.

 

It's the lower intake and timing cover gaskets that cause the coolant to get in the cylinders on the 97 and early 98.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/v6...hydrolock.html Read the whole thread, especially post #9.

 

got the truck running lol. I read the diagram wrong and had two wires mixed up. Fired up first crank. Makes me feel like an idiot. Thank you for the help tho!

 

Good! I would watch it carefully for coolant leaks, the timing cover gasket could still be bad.

 

will do.