Joining back up finally I was amember before it wasupdate I have a 1976 ford ranger f-150 with a 84 460 ! heavy duty chasis

I have some strange problem that I can't seem to shake.

I can't get it to start. I replaced the distributer plugs and brain box
after installing each Iitem the truck ran fine for 30 minutes or so.

installed the distributer it started great ran for 3o then stoped.
replaced the brain box same thing
replaced all the fuel filters and im getting fuel to the carb smells like it for sure. Can't seem to shake this one out. Any ideas?

 

Bad resistor wire going to the ignition? bad ignition switch?

 

I doubt it is the switch as the engine cranksno problem just doesn't start.
The fly wheel is turning also. Im going through all of the standard tests again tomorrow. will report back then

 

Can't wait for an update.

 

Hey manjoine....mine is having some of the same issues. Just check under my name farther down in this forum. It's on the second page I would guess. I'm still dealing with the issue but maybe some of the other pieces of advise from my post can hep you out as well! Hope we can BOTH figure out our problems!


Nate

 

Ok I air pressured dried everything after it had sat for 3 months in the winter.

Did a total eletrical systems check voltage to the ignition coil was not great so I put back in the original and the voltage was great.

Cleaned out the distributor with air and also a wire brush on the points of the rotor.

Did a spark plug ingition test to make sure I was getting juice

waited for the battery to charge,

WHALA it started first turn over!

BTY I flushed some gas out of the fuel line, replaced the air filter and pvc valve and it is purring almost like a kitten.

I think one of the spark plugs is missing a bit as I can hear something, b

 

[QUOTE=manjoine]
Did a total eletrical systems check voltage to the ignition coil was not great so I put back in the original and the voltage was great.

Put in the original what? was the voltage low going to coil- so brain box? or out of coil so original coil? Just wondering.

 

I had replaced the ignition coil first thinking that was the problem.

I must have gotten a bad coil from the parts store, as it was a bit smaller as well. So I put back in the original one that I replaced.

I did replace the brain box, however the NAPA parts guy said that those do not go bad and just gave me a new one to try out. I doubted that was the problem.
If your getting plenty of juice to the distributer I suggest doing a through cleaning of the distributor or replacing it completely. I imagine that was the root of all my ills as the heads on the rotor were a bit rusty. I also pushed in the magnetic deal to make it closer to the the rotor so the connection would be better.

 

Hmmm...I'm having some of the same issues as you are. I just bought a Accel super stock coil for my application ('76 390) and it was a little smaller than the original as well. I ended up putting some spacer material in the clamp to tighten it down. Though the problem was there before and after the new coil but would the size of the coil matter? Or is it the wrong coil in general?

Nate

P.S. Sorry...not trying to hyjack the thread!

 

It was great for the NAPA guy to loan one to you- but they do go out and many that I know carry a spare- I have had two go out on me in previous '78 - '79 bronco.

 

Im not sure about the coil issue. I just assumed that technology would advance and the size of the coil would go down with newer technology. However, the one I got to replace it from an Oriely dealer was one of my major problems, so maybe size does matter On the brain box issue, that is great to know. We did indeed replace just in case.

Now to figure out how to find the spark plug that is not hitting correctly! well save that for another thread.

 

with plugs that are off I use plastic tongs to pull each spark plug wire off the plug-one at a time when the engine is running- when you get to the bad one the rpms remain the same or go down less than the others when it's rendered inoperable.

 

sweet thanks for the advice that will save me tons !