[badgurl55]

I recently bought a 87 Mustang with a 2.3L. It had overheated and then parked it about 3 years ago. I bought it and changed the head. I put in new gas and checked the spark. It is getting spark and I also sprayed starting fliud into the throttle body to try and get it to start and it will not start. It did give me one kick like it may have wanted to start but did not and never did again as I kept trying to start it.

What should I look for to start trouble shooting the non start issue ?

[heavy metal]

I suggest to recheck the timing first.

[NavySVO]

What is your fuel pressure at?

[badgurl55]

as far as the timimg, when I removed the head I kept the belt in place under the crank by stuffing a rag so it wouldn't move and also checked after I put it back together.

How will I check fuel pressure ?

[NavySVO]

with a fuel pressure tester. you can get them at any parts store.

Then follow the fuel rail out until you find the schader valve (looks like a tire valve). hook it up and have someone help you out by turning the key KOEO (Key On, Engine Off). The pump should prime and then you should see the pressure come up after a few KOEOs. If not, the pump or relay may be bad.

As for the timing, you need to re-verify the engine timing as well as the ignition timing.

[turboeeyore]

the timig belt probabally moved on the distributor sprocket. set your crank at 0 degrees take out the #1 spark plug and find tdc with a screwdriver in the plug hole. with timing belt off take off the distributor (dizzy) cap and line up the rotor with #1 plug wire,replace belt.leaving the dizzy just loose enough to turn dizzy by hand. try and start the car, if you have a friend slowly turn the dizzy untill it starts, once started remove the PIP and time with a light. the distributor sprocket has NO timing markings, but uses the same sprocket as the camshaft, so the cam arrow is on the sprocket, but isn't used as a marker on the dizzy.

[badgurl55]

I have done exactly as you had stated about lining up everything.
Is it hard to get to the distributor bolt as I couldn't see it .... or a special distributor tool that has a bend to get under the distributor?

[badgurl55]

Also took out the plugs to double check for spark and there was but there also was gas on # 1 and # 4 spark plugs so it is getting gas. Maybe not getting it when it fires which would could mean something is off ?

[badgurl55]

2 plud wires were wrong ..... how dumb was that? I assumed it wasn't touched after the previous owner overheated it. Thanks for everyones input. I replaced the motor and she's putting down the road just fine.