2 cyls misfiring on 4L SOHC

[kponhlo]

The basics...1997 4.0 SOHC w/ 97k miles

The brief background...it has set various codes for a while implying that intake gaskets were bad/intakes were warped (changed plugs, wires, checked MAF, cleaned throttle body, etc) so I bought new Ford upper and lower intake gaskets. Today I changed them, and brass-brushed the deposits out of the bores. Between rain and washing water likely got into the vac sw, vac reg, IAS, and TPS to some degree, but I blew them out carefully w/ compressed air.

The problem...got it all back together and had a misfire on cyls 2, 3 and 5 (codes 302, 303 and 305). Pulled it apart again, and found one gasket had moved a bit. Reassembled per specs and still got misfire on cyls 2 and 3. Pulled apart again. Checked everything closely and can't find anything obvious that seems out of place. Reassembled per specs (getting pretty efficient by this time) and STILL got misfire on cyls 2 & 3. Runs like garbage.

BTW, plug wires for cyls 1, 3 and 5 were new today since I had the intake off...I left them alone when I changed the plugs a couple of weeks ago.

I am CONFUSED and I gotta get it FIXED. What am I missing (apart from mechanical aptitude... )?

Also, but of lesser importance, who decided to use lag bolts in an automobile engine???

Thanks,

-Keith

 

[kponhlo]

In addtion to the above...it seems like it runs better at idle when cold than when warm. Also, spraying carb cleaner around various vacuum lines and the intake mating surfaces while its running doesn't seem to change the idle.

 

[kponhlo]

Alright, I got it. It turns out its best if you don't get the #2 and #3 plug wires mixed up.

Does anyone want to buy a screwdriver? I don't want to hurt myself with it...