First time poster, long time reader...

I just replaced my plenum this past weekend, while doing so I also did my water pump. When tearing down I labeled everything and took great care in terms of keeping everything clear and clean. I left the injectors and fuel rail attached to the intake. Short of that pretty much did everything per all the countless posts I read about this job. Assembly went smoothly with no questions. Hooked the battery cable up and hopped in and started cranking. There was a little clacking at first (I assume the injectors passing air) but now it just cranks. Am I missing something really obvious? I did not touch the cap and rotor during this...

Thoughts?

Thanks for your time in advance.

 

turn your key to the on position a few times,open your butterfly and spray a little ether in there and then try to start it. Don't over do it with the ether.
We had to do ether two times before she would fire up and idle...

 

runs like a top now...

 

Thanks, I will give this a go and reply accordingly...

 

Did you actually verify spark?

Good idea to purge air from the fuel rail. Prime first, purge, prime another, purge.

Check all your grounds.

^all spitballing given all the stuff that is "messed" with including a potential of other stuff "messed" with doing this job.

 

To bleed the system do you crank then go to the valve on the fuel rail and release the pressure (air/gas)?

 

That will still leave air in the rail. Best bet is to just cycle the key five or ten times, to build pressure, and then crank. Air will go thru the injectors a lot faster than gas will. Verify you are getting spark, fuel pump primes, and if you have a gauge, verify fuel pressure.

 

Thanks, will have a look when I get home tonight...

 

I'm thinking a ground wire was missed or broken. Check for spark and fuel as stated, but also check ALL the ground wire's and fuses(in case the cable got hit by accident). The large and small grounds that connect to the bolt near the power steering pump are the usual suspects.

 

Ok, I have fuel.. All grounds are solid and clean.. Checked fuses.. I went over everything with a fine tooth comb and found nothing amiss.. This said I have no spark.. Is there something I am missing?

You all have been a great help and patient so far..

A little background, this truck is new to me as of Nov. Before this I had a '93 Cummins for 10 years and prior to that had a Ford diesel so I am a little rusty with gas engines, especially with all the electronic paraphernalia...