[searcherrr]

Well, I don't know how, but I spent 9pm - 5am in the garage last night doing everything but and everything with the van. I swear my personality is wonderful for catching things others miss, but sometimes I wish the ADD and procrastination parts would just walk away from me for good.

I checked the connectors to the alternator thoroughly. Just decided on a whim to do it again. I don't know what the 1 clip single wire is that goes to the alternator, but I took it apart and made it more snug. I didn't like how loose it seemed. I did the same with the main alternator connector to the regulator. I don't know if it will help at all.

I took extremely great care in handling, labeling, and routing the 2nd box of Autolite spark plug wires. This time ALL the clips are clipped down well and every one is nearly even 90 degrees and flush with the primary connections on the coils.

Every wire is labeled in multiple places for which cylinder. The routing this time I did different than before. I had really never worried about the plug wires touching hot things cause they are supposed to be able to take it, but I noticed how close (touching) the water hose to the water pump was to #5 wire and I rearranged how things were laid out.

I bought some wire spacers too (even says Ford on them) so I could route better. I went under the water pump hose and behind (to right of from front facing in) the intake plenum support that is just across from the alternator. I figured this would keep it away from the alternator and hopefully from sliding back/up to touching the water hose. I also put a spacer right off the coils to kinda pull #5 wire back from that hose too. Somehow I also managed to get a spacer in behind the alternator with a wrench and long flat head screwdriver (using them as artificial fingers).

I am happy with how it is all laid out now except the part where it rounds the front valve cover by the oil cap, though the cover is durable plastic and the hose lines the wires touch are for the power steering pump so I don't imagine either of these will ever get hot enough to damage the plug wires.

START UP ???? No. I am at the point now where I'm scared to. Seriously. I figured once I realized it was 5am that I'd quit there because if I started it up and waited for "full hot" and it didn't work right I might have a heart attack. I was going to do compression testing, but I realize now that the exhaust manifolds are so close to the plugs that I don't know how I'd get the wires off and plugs out without scorching myself. I think I am going to start it and if it does not cooperate I'm gonna just bring it over to my out of town trusted shop.

So.... START UP .... to come in a few moments. I went took a bath and eating breakfast (no sleep yet; 8:20 AM) and I'm getting ready to go let it run and then will determine if I need to bring it to the out of towner shop.