help!!
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New User
Joined: Oct 2010
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help!!
Hey guys, I have a 1980 Ford F150 that i just recently bought a few weeks ago, its got the 351 Windsor, i had to replace the voltage regulator on it and a few of the alternator wires and i was driving it the other day and it just shut off on me and now wont start, i suspected the fuel pump so i sprayed starter fluid into the carb and got nothing. The person before me put an aftermarket mallory ignition and a 4bbl holley carb into it. I know some stuff about working on it but at this point I have hit a wall...any suggestions at all would really be appreciated..thank you
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 922
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From: San Diego
80's didn't come with a 351w, they came with 351m's, it could be a w, if someone swapped it in, or it could be a 302. One of the trucks I bought, the guy said it was a 351, but I could tell by how big the block was that it was a 302.
Are you getting spark? If you take off the air cleaner and move the throttle does gas spray into the venturi?
Are you getting spark? If you take off the air cleaner and move the throttle does gas spray into the venturi?
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,271
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From: Mexia, TX
Take a look at the wiring for that aftermarket ignition and make sure the previous owner didn't wire something wrong. You'd be surprised at the hackjobs previous owners do. Could be as simple as a blown fuse. If the wiring checks out, check for spark and fuel.
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oh the guy who had it before did a "hackjob" on just about everything so it wouldnt surprise me if he did it completely wrong, ill try that out, do you think it would be beneficial to revert back to the original 2bbl carb and original ignition?
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 922
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From: San Diego
there is nothing wrong with the original ignition systems, you would have to source all the original stuff if the po didn't give it to you. The fancy new stuff is more for racing in my opinion.
As for the carb, it would be a pain to go back (you would need to put the original 2bbl intake back on.)
As for the carb, it would be a pain to go back (you would need to put the original 2bbl intake back on.)
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Mexia, TX
Aren't there adapters to fit a 2bbl carb to a 4bbl intake?
With a 2bbl carb and the factory Duraspark II ignition, I get about 12mpg with a 302, C6 transmission and 2.75 gears. But for the time being, I'd get the ignition box wired up right and deal with the various problems, then after it's running decent, look at your options.
It's not hard to do proper custom wiring, I don't know why previous owners have such a hard time with it. I had a hard time with it myself lol, but I just pulled 90% of my custom wiring last night and I plan to eventually redo all my custom wiring the right way (color coded, weatherproof connections, bundled neatly). I've got a huge pile of wires in my floorboard lol.
With a 2bbl carb and the factory Duraspark II ignition, I get about 12mpg with a 302, C6 transmission and 2.75 gears. But for the time being, I'd get the ignition box wired up right and deal with the various problems, then after it's running decent, look at your options.
It's not hard to do proper custom wiring, I don't know why previous owners have such a hard time with it. I had a hard time with it myself lol, but I just pulled 90% of my custom wiring last night and I plan to eventually redo all my custom wiring the right way (color coded, weatherproof connections, bundled neatly). I've got a huge pile of wires in my floorboard lol.
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so i am getting fuel into my carb, i took out a spark plug connected it back to the wire, grounded it and got no spark so i did it with another plug, still no spark, took the distributor cap off, the contacts and rotor look almost brand new....hello new wall haha
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,271
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From: Mexia, TX
Is the ignition box getting power? Check the wires leading to and from the box.
Did the PO hack up the wiring around where the factory ignition box would be?
Did the PO hack up the wiring around where the factory ignition box would be?
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Just my two cents worth, but the first thing that popped into my head was that the coil went bad. I have heard a couple of stories like this, where the engine just died as if throwing a switch, and the coil was the culprit. I'm no expert, but it's something to think about.
