Still no start..need input please..(long)

Hey guys- I've been trying to get the Pseudo-Coupe started since the weekend after the motor swap, but still no luck. here's what I got:
-83 Tbird (ex 5.0l/AOD car)
-85 TC harness
-LA3
-255 hp pump
-all the appropriate other bits

I've got spark and the ECM is getting power (VREF is 5V and it spits out codes...all codes were for "cold" sensors and lack of BCS..so it's working). Timing is right (checked it 4 times...). After fixing a couple power wiring issues I could get the car to start by priming it with some starting fluid and it would run..just not very well and very rich. It would not however start w/out the initial priming. Now it won't start w/ the starting fluid. The plugs are REALLY fouled, but how fouled do they have to be before they will cause a no-start? Am I dealing with a case of fouled plugs and a "green" ECM that hasn't learned to play with the "big" fuel pump yet?
This is the motor out of the XR7 and aside from the LA3 swap, the only big change was to swap on a fresh head. I've got fuel pressure and what seems to be power in the appropriate places. I'm running out of ideas..
Anyone?
Chuck

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Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental..
83 Pseudo-Coupe, 87 Ranger (soon to be 2.3T), 84 XR7, 86 XR4 and 62 Mercury Monterey (old n slo)
NATO Member

Chuck, have you actually measured fuel pressure? Maybe you are getting too much.

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NATO Member. it's not a vice, it's an obsession
"The nice thing about each new day is nobody ever used it before" Barnaby Jones
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, mods list at
http://www.turbotbird.com/showroom/pd_88tc.htm

Well, I'm going to pick up a gauge on the way home. The old regulator was shot, and I had no pressure. I replaced the regulator and have pressure. It ran once I got it started either way.
As for too much, the XR7 had a bad regulator when I got it and it was reading something like 80 psi at idle....but it still ran..just ran rich, but it would fire right up every time.
The plugs are fouled with carbon..but not wet.


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Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental..
83 Pseudo-Coupe, 87 Ranger (soon to be 2.3T), 84 XR7, 86 XR4 and 62 Mercury Monterey (old n slo)
NATO Member