5.0L fuel pressure

[Lizard]

To make a short story long, I have a 1999 5.0L AWD and recently had trouble starting after warm. Now takes a few seconds to start after cold or warm. Decided to check fuel pressure and found it to be 64psi. Haynes doesn't specify 4.0L or 5.0L in their specs but says: "30-45psi with vacuum hose attached; 40-50 without hose." I checked without hose attached and saw no change. Pulled a vacuum on the pressure regulator, still no change..(needle on pressure gauge just bobbled a little when I released the vacuum.) Also, fuel pressure went down pretty rapidly after shutting off vehicle ~ 10psi after 15 seconds. Has to be either the FPR or check valve on fuel pump??
I'm banking on FPR but what do others think? Also, Haynes says in order to remove the FPR, just take off bolts holding it on, but I don't see any "bolts." Just seems to be welded right into the fuel rail. Only thing that looks removable is a "C" clip on top of the FPR.

Questions: 1.)What is the normal fuel pressure for said vehicle?
2.)How do you remove the blasted FPR ?
3.) Does this sound like a FPR or pump check valve problem?

Thanks in advance for any help....Lizard

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I think your fuel pressure is correct- if yours has the returnless fuel system, it runs at higher fuel pressure, right around 62 psi

I am not sure what year the returnless system started, but I believe yours has it.