Ok, fixed the random no start with a new crank angle sensor (new distributor) now it cuts out as I give it gas, usually above 3k rpm. A very quick cut out, feels like spark is lost for a second maybe. Could this be egr? I haven't replace that lol. I did clean the throttle body recently by spraying a rag and wiping it out, I've also been spraying brake clean all over looking for a vacuum leak to explain my high idle.
Tested the TPS, it's within spec.

Maybe a better description is, it bucks and jerks.


1989 V6 5 speed 230K
New;
distributor, icm, coil, wires, plugs, cap, rotor, IAC, fuel filter, pump

Wait for the full moon, and kill a chicken...

I'm not following your description. You get a misfire/misfires at wot at 3k rpms? You get one at any rpm at wot?

Sorry, it's been a long day.

as I go up through the gears and go over about 3500 rpm it starts cutting out, but it recovers quick, feels like someone just hits the kill switch then turns it back on. If you've ever run out of gas, it's a little like that. But my tank is full

Some ideas:

1) power transistor
2) dirty injector

Did you ground the distributor lead to set base ignition timing?

Frank

Frank,
Yes base timing was set, however as soon as I un-ground that wire it goes back to my high idle. But that is beside the cutting out problem. The high idle has always been there, the cutting out just started after the new distributor and throttle body cleaning. I put a new ignition control module/power transistor on. Not sure if I have a dirty injector, I have run a couple of bottles of cleaner through the tank, not sure if that really does anything.

You should check the EGR operation - instructions are in the FSM. There's a vacuum switch on the front of the thermostat water box that has 2 nipples that are prone to cracking. I'd chack that switch carefully. Often, they're cracked and leaking, but not completely broken off.

Frank

Frank,

I looked around what I assume is the water box, where the thermostat and water inlet are. I saw what looked like one nipple but it was coming from the intake plenum, but then the apartment Nazi's came out and I'd have to pull into my garage to look further. I'll do more looking later. Thanks for your time

The fact that your saying it feels like its "running out of gas" might point to a fuel issue. Whens the last time the fuel filter was replaced? Fule pressure regulator? Fuel pump/strainer? Just throwing that out there....You might want to run a gauge inline with the fuel pump to monitor pressure at WOT.

As I stated in the original post, it has new pump, and filter. Where can I find the fuel pressure regulator?

The fuel pressure regulator is buried under the upper air intake and attached to the rear end of the passenger side fuel rail. I would exhaust all other easy diagnostics before moving on to the FPR.

To check the fuel pressure without changing anything on the OE setup requires a special fitting, but there is a shadetree way to check it without the special fitting. Cut the fuel line near the firewall and insert a tee fitting. Install a pressure gauge and check pressure. When you've finished, either remove the upper intake and replace the fuel line - or just leave the tee in the line and plug it.

Frank