NC Tom

Just checked and they are good. Here's 30 secs of terrible squealing for your listening pleasure. I am about ready to throw in the towel and get this thing towed. Six weeks and hundreds of dollars later, I still can't drive it. I've heard rumors of a guy in my hood that is/was a mechanic in the military. Maybe I'll seek him out. squeal.m4a

Okay folks. I was able to get the AC compressor remounted and the serpentine belt no longer touches the water pump housing. Starts right up, idles REALLY rough until warm. Mellows out some, but not running correctly. Engine rocks side-to-side quite a bit. Give her some gas and the idle gets pretty bad, seems to backfire. Let off the throttle and it settles down. I also experienced one helluva squeak-squeal/scream for a moment, but that settled down too. I was hoping that fixing the AC mount and re-tightening the serpentine belt would get rid of the squeal. Oh well. . . I unplugged and re-plugged the injectors with this result. Starting from the front, the first three injectors made little difference when unplugged. The next three made a very noticeable, near stalling, difference. Check the audio file: rough idle.m4a I start revving at about 12 sec. You here a "pop" at 18 sec. When the "pop" sounds, a decent amount of smoke is forced up into your face from below the engine. That's where I am today.

Fantastic! Thank you!

Is the size and thread pitch known so that I can just find some locally?

Today I noticed that the reason my AC compressor has been wobbling and my serpentine best has been rubbing on my water pump is because two mounting bolts are gone. I cannot find a source that notes the size. Does anyone here have that info? Much appreciated.

Someone told me I could use a colored smoke bomb.

I think you are right about the exhaust leak. I can't find it. For the injectors, I am assuming that you mean to unplug one, listen for changes, plug it back and move to the next one?

@Pete M@cruiser54@ratrapp@AZJeff and any others I left out, Thank You for your help on this issue. It is yet to be fully resolved, but hearing her start after so many weeks of just turning over and over and over is good news! Running really rough. Fuel pressure is reading a steady 30. I know that's low. However, the fuel leaks are gone. Please take a look at the video here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nZjWdUyDUKwCIIibEkfcTge5PbhHD_Yj/view?usp=share_link Anyone should be able to view it. Hopefully, some sort of diagnosis can be made from the sounds, but I understand if not. You may notice smoke coming up from the passenger side of the engine. Not sure what the source is. Looking forward to your comments.

Thanks. I'll check that.

Maybe after I wake up.

Okay. I can't believe that dang part is $100!

It only leaks if you disconnect the vacuum line. For this issue, should there be gas in the vacuum line?

I think I got it straightened out. Whenever I look at these schematics, my eyes cross and I wake up face down in a puddle of drool.

UPDATE: New Plugs New Fuel Pump Restored Injectors Distro Okay Spark Test Light = Have Spark Noid Light Indicates Injector Pulse Okay New CPS (not sure about readings) New Fuel line rings and clips at rail I have spark and weak fuel delivery. A decent amount of gas drips from the pressure regulator when vac hose detached. I can reinstall the old CPS if anyone thinks that's an issue. I'm thinking the Fuel Pressure Regulator is the problem. But, I'm a woodworker, not a mechanic.

If "Yes" for the hose, what hose to-from where? Please.

New plugs installed, still no start. Haven't checked distro yet. But, I noticed I a nipple without a hose attached. See pic. Should there be a hose there?

Was wondering why that was a "good" sign. But, I know so little about it, I didn't ask. So. It's not a good thing.

Removing the belt? Thanks for that, but I need to get it running before I go there.

Not yet. Based on this first plug, I'm going to replace them all.

Alright. If I don't post again, I blew myself up.

I just pulled the vacuum off and fuel did leak out.

I've only pulled one plug. Will pull them all now. Is there a test for the regulator?

I assumed not. Not sure why it's moving, but I'll look into it. I "fixed" the leak at the front fuel rail, but still no start. Fuel pressure is good while cranking, but once you stop it drops straight to zero. Is that normal? Should pressure stay up while key is "on"? Also, my battery is weak from all the tries. It's charging now, but can a weak battery play onto this? I bought that Noid Light kit as suggested by @ratrapp, but I need to read how to use the dang thing. While I'm learning a lot, I am not happy at all about how much time this is taking. The graphic I did because I needed to do something fun amidst all this stress!

WOW! Mine is way too close!