Backfire, idle, fixed... in drive, clang in exh or dr.train | Ford Explorer Forums

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Backfire, idle, fixed... in drive, clang in exh or dr.train

Roadracing7

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Joined
September 6, 2007
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Year, Model & Trim Level
'97 Limited
97 5.0L LTD AWD

So, I had the problem with a vacuum hose cap coming off after a backfire (half cranking). I tore the manifold off, put a cap on and clamped it this time, put everything back together and it was running REALLY REALLY rough.

Figured I didn't label the plug wires properly given the fact that I labeled them 1,6,3,5 on each side (dumb me looked at the numbers on the coils). So I looked up firing order and found this.
(facing engine bay from bumper)
Cylinder 1 - far right bottom coil lead
Cylinder 2 - 2nd from left bottom coil lead
Cylinder 3 - 3rd from left top coil lead
Cylinder 4 - top left coil lead
Cylinder 5 - top right coil lead
Cylinder 6 - 3rd from left bottom coil lead
Cylinder 7 - 2nd from left top coil lead
Cylinder 8 - far left bottom coil lead

So for the plug leads on the coils, it looks like this:

[4 7] [3 5]
[8 2] [6 1]

That's not at ALL what the wires used to look like btw...

...but it started and idled really nicely. So vacuum leak fixed. Then to go on the test drive. I put it in reverse and before I could move I heard pops, clangs, clinks, whatever you wanna describe it as coming from underneath the truck. I had my girlfriend put it in reverse while looking underneath. Can't tell if it's drivetrain or exhaust.

Firing order, original backfire problem or something worse? I need to go out of town early tomorrow morning and it looks like I might not make it! HELP!!!
 






Fixed

I apparently suck at following plug wires. The order was right, I just didn't follow it! :) Hope this helps someone sometime.
 






....woohoo, another cheap fix...lol...:D
 






1 3 7 2 6 5 4 8, the Cleveland firing order.
 






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