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Author Topic: Random misfire #1 cylinder  (Read 1507 times)

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Offline r4pinto

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Random misfire #1 cylinder
« on: September 19, 2017, 07:13:05 AM »
Good morning,

A question about an issue with my 1980 Pinto Runabout. 2.3 4 cylinder automatic.

When cruising at higher speeds, and occasionally at lower speeds I hear a misfire in the engine. The EGR line at the exhaust manifold runner popped off and could hear it coming from the number one cylinder, so the source has been tracked down as to the exact cylinder. I've fixed the line but my question is any suggestions as to what can be causing the misfire? On my project post pintosopher had indicated something about the EGR may have a cracked housing, or possibly a bad gasket at or below the EGR, such as the carb mounting plate, causing it to run poorly when cold.

My question is could this also cause my random misfire at number one? I currently have four Autolite platinum plugs in the engine which were installed about 2300 miles ago when the engine was installed from the 77. Cam timing has been checked, and on the money, as is ignition timing. New plug wires installed before driving to the Pinto vs Maverick show, and distributor cap and rotor also replaced when the motor was installed.

The car runs good, except for this misfire.

Now recently I did replace the followers and lifters since I thought I had a bad one due to a top end noise. Turns out the noise wasn't mechanical in nature but the EGR line from the manifold, but when I had the followers out I noticed the number one cylinder cam lobe had some rust pitting. I didn't have a replacement camshaft to put in, and don't recall if it was like that or not in 2007 when I installed it in the engine. Since the rest were perfect my guess is it was.

Any ideas are appreciated.

Thanks!
Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
1980 Pinto Runabout- work in progress

Offline dick1172762

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Re: Random misfire #1 cylinder
« Reply #1 on: September 19, 2017, 09:09:55 AM »
If you replaced the lifters, that maybe your problem. Lifters are not a drop it in and go item. There is a clearance spec for the lifters in a 2300 Lima engine of .035 to .050. The way you check this is by bleeding the oil from the lifter by compressing the lifter in a vice ever so easily. Then replace the lifter in the head and check the clearance to the cam lobe. Shoot for .035. If its over .050 you need to add shims under the lifter. Very easy to do if you have all day to do the work. I've even heard of people using a thin dime for the shim. That would have been a rare case as I have never seen one that needed that big of a shim. I know people add new lifters all the time without doing this with no problems at all. But it only takes one bad one to drive you up the wall looking for the problem.  Most of the lifters now days come from China and who knows if their all the same.
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Offline r4pinto

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Re: Random misfire #1 cylinder
« Reply #2 on: September 19, 2017, 03:51:38 PM »
The misfire was there before so no that is not the issue. If you recall I have been chasing a misfire on this exact cylinder as a previous post indicated that plug wasn't firing correctly. Additionally the lifters are original equipment Ford lifters. As previously mentioned the cam has slight pitting on the number one cylinder but no others. Could that cause an issue and what should I look at if the cam may be the cause? Cam is from a 92 Ranger if I recall with the followers and lifters from a different year ranger with roller cam.


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Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
1980 Pinto Runabout- work in progress

Offline Pintosopher

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Re: Random misfire #1 cylinder
« Reply #3 on: September 19, 2017, 06:02:28 PM »
Hmmm,
 Since you did say that the #1 cyl had a spark related issue before, I would check the Distributor shaft bearing for excess play. The harmonics of the motor at Idle would cause a random rotor gap and dwell issue that could just be enough to toss that cyl off spark timing. Anything with the Intermediate shaft could also be involved if excess play is involved there too.
 Otherwise, a possible valve guide issue ( carbon buildup) preventing the valve from seating fully , or weak /broken spring ?  Anything that would interfere with the proper opening/closing of that intake would manifest itself in the lack of a stable Vacuum reading (11-17 Hg) at idle on the Gauge. If the gauge fluctuates with the miss, you have a clue to the cause.
 A couple of more pennies in the barrel.. :) :)
 
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Offline r4pinto

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Re: Random misfire #1 cylinder
« Reply #4 on: September 19, 2017, 06:07:43 PM »
Hmmm,
 Since you did say that the #1 cyl had a spark related issue before, I would check the Distributor shaft bearing for excess play. The harmonics of the motor at Idle would cause a random rotor gap and dwell issue that could just be enough to toss that cyl off spark timing. Anything with the Intermediate shaft could also be involved if excess play is involved there too.
 Otherwise, a possible valve guide issue ( carbon buildup) preventing the valve from seating fully , or weak /broken spring ?  Anything that would interfere with the proper opening/closing of that intake would manifest itself in the lack of a stable Vacuum reading (11-17 Hg) at idle on the Gauge. If the gauge fluctuates with the miss, you have a clue to the cause.
 A couple of more pennies in the barrel.. :) :)
 
 Pintosopher
This weekend I will take a look at that. When I had the valve cover off I inspected the components and did not see any issues with the valve springs such as a broken spring but can't be certain about carbon buildup. I cleaned it when I installed the head and the guides seemed ok at the time from what I recall but that was so long ago I could be mistaken lol. I will see if I can locate my vacuum gauge to see what it's putting out. I will also go ahead and see about replacing the carburetor base gasket this weekend and EGR gasket as well. Couldn't hurt to try them.


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Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
1980 Pinto Runabout- work in progress

Offline Srt

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Re: Random misfire #1 cylinder
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2017, 10:07:18 AM »

check your plug wires. replace that one wire with one from another cylinder. see if the miss 'moves to the other cylinder.

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Offline r4pinto

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Re: Random misfire #1 cylinder
« Reply #6 on: September 20, 2017, 10:10:08 AM »
They are new. Problem was there with a completely different set. Was mainly identifiable at higher speeds and wasn’t firing right. It’s better but has a misfire on number one that happens at random, whenever the car feels like it.

Some times it’s perfect, other times it misses.


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Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
1980 Pinto Runabout- work in progress

Offline dick1172762

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Re: Random misfire #1 cylinder
« Reply #7 on: September 20, 2017, 04:44:00 PM »
How do you know its the # one cylinder? Could it be all of them but not at the same time?
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Offline r4pinto

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Re: Random misfire #1 cylinder
« Reply #8 on: September 21, 2017, 07:04:47 AM »
I’ve isolated the issue to be number one but was stumped on what else to check since I replaced mechanical components and electrical as well. I will leave it at that. All I’m looking for are suggestions on what could be. At which pintosopher gave a suggestion of the distributor or possible valve guide issue which I will be closer inspecting the distributor this weekend, as well as replacing the  gaskets recommended.


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Matt Manter
1977 Pinto sedan- Named Harold II after the first Pinto(Harold) owned by my mom. R.I.P mom- 1980 parts provider & money machine for anything that won't fit the 80
1980 Pinto Runabout- work in progress