Hey Gillesdetrail,
I have a bad gut feeling that this issue is not spark or fuel. I hope I'm wrong!... and I will be glad to discover it's something simple. Although there are very few things, in my experience, with anything I would call "simple" with this engine.
I will go back and re-check ALL adjustments again, just be sure I've not missed something.
I will re-check cam timing and ignition timing. If it's mechanical, and it's a low compression issue, then it's likely the valves or valve seats. This is a brand new RV head, OS valves, with a 261C cam installed by Tod at engbldr. I'd be surprised it's a cylinder, piston, or piston rings... although anything is possible. The block was bored 20 over, crank, pistons, rods, balanced, mic'd, magnafluxed and sonic tested by one of the most reputable engine builders/speed shops in Phoenix.... but again anything is possible.
The injectors were rebuilt by WitchHunter.. a highly reputable injector specialist.
However... this is a 31 year old vehicle and engine, so I'm not really surprised that I've encountered unexpected issues. The truck was parked and in my garage for 3 1/2 years.
I will figure it out, with the input of everyone here who wants to share something, as I usually do.
There must be a reason why this is happening to me, so I'll assume I'm suppose to wait a little longer to get my truck back on the road again.... and "work" longer on this project.
I tell myself this is just a relatively simple engine, and to rebuild it and I should not need a PhD in automotive engineering.
Thanks for your input!
Gnarls.
In my experience when you are diagnosing an engine probleme you really have to go step by step with what you know so far,
So here is what we know from your post if I read correctly.
1)the engine starts but runs on 3 cylinders.
2)cyl numb 1 is not firing
3)fuel is getting to cyl. numb 1 because the spark plug is wet and smells like fuel.
So from what we know, it can't be a bad distributor ground (because the engine would not start), or injector related (because fuel is getting to all 4 cyl.). So efi fuse is out of the question as well because if it was blown, it would not start, and no fuel would be getting to the cylinders. So here is what I would do next, make absolutely sure cyl num. 1 is not firing. If you are 100% sure, make sure there is spark. If you don't have spark in that cylinder only, It can't really be anything other than spark plug, spark plug wire, or cap related. Make 100% sure there is fuel getting to the cylinder (if spark plug is wet and smells like fuel, then fuel is getting there and you can rule out anything fuel related). Once we know all these 3 things we can narrow down from there.
If cyl. 1 is not firing, I am almost certain it is not caused by mecanical damage or improper installation, because it would fire even if there was only 30 psi. It would have to be something major for it to have 0 compression, to which there would be obvious signs just by pulling the spark plug, pulling the valve cover or by cranking it up.
So first thing is to make sure cyl 1 is not firing. If it isn't, and all the others are, we have to rule out a fuel, spark or air problem on that cylinder. If it IS firing, then it is probably timing related since the engine runs but poorly.
