Rough idling after tune up

[Cholla]

Ok, I feel a little silly, so I am starting here with some pros it appears. Seems quite a few people have been experiencing this problem and this forum might have the answers. I hope.
This is my first time owning a sweet 1987 Bronco II 4x4 2.9 rig, and I love the hell out of it. Plans are to make it a keeper and fix what I can. It has 100K on it and has not been abused.
Sooo...
Today, I just installed new plugs (.044 gap), cap and rotor. It was running good and strong, now it has a very rough idle acts like it wants to die. Firing order is fine, a strong lacquer like smell has developed and it seems to be burning rich. I will test for vacuum leaks and possible ground problems tomorrow. Possible catalytic converter? Ughhh...

Am I missing something that could lead to a quick fix? Has anyone had a similar problem? Do I hear giggles? I have been a knuckle buster since I bought my first tool box from Sears in '69, but this, duh, has me foxed! More giggles???

Thanks for any & all thoughts, and giggles.

[Ranger Dave]

it takes a minute or two for it to start running ruff???? every time you start it it takes the same amount of time for it to run ruff??

[tekatlarge]

Hmm Lacquer smell could be a fuel pressure Regulator gone south. Pull the vacuum line off of the fuel pressure regulator and look for signs of fuel on the vacuum side. if ya got fuel on the vac side ya got a bad regulator.

[bigcurt610]

I have exactly the same problem as Cholla. Does anyone know what the problem could be? Mine appears to be running rich and the catayitic converter gets very hot. I have taken it to several shops. None have been able to stop the rough idle that comes and goes.

Thanks for any help.

[clem]

This may seem too simple but I gotta ask, Are all the wires pushed down hard on the plugs and cap? The devil lives in the details.

[bigcurt610]

Yes, all wires are pushed down firmly on the plugs and cap. I have even changed all plugs, wires and the cap. But, it still happens.


Thanks for the suggestion.

[DBrown]

this is just a thought but did you pull the wires off and check the resistance in each of them?
if you didn't change the wires maybe you seperated one or two when you removed them?

just a thought...

[clem]

Did you get this sorted? Seems like a common problem, to post a fix lets others answer their issues if they do a search instead of asking the same question over and over.

[Ranger Dave]

maybe you seperated one or two when you removed them

it was running fine before.

with todays high out put coils the spark will jump a 1/2+ gap and still fire the plug

[Ranger Dave]

this may sound kinda silly,but start puttin the old parts back on,se if it runs better

[Ranger Dave]

this tread is 2 months old.

[bigcurt610]

I still have the same problem. Since someone mentioned spark plugs, it seems that my problem started after I got the plugs and wires changed about a year ago. If I find a solution, I will post it. That is the only problem that I have with my 87.

[Ranger Dave]

it seems that my problem started after I got the plugs and wires changed about a year ago.

and its still not fixed???