Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

Weird Starting Problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 10, 2011 | 01:32 PM
  #1  
johnson2007's Avatar
johnson2007
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Bozeman, MT
Weird Starting Problem

So this has happened to me twice now. 79 F-150 with a 400. I will be working on my pickup and start it up a couple times to move it around and what not and then all of a sudden it won't start. I pull a plug wire and there is no spark. My MSD box is working and the coil is firing and the distributor is turning... Any idea what could be causing this? The engine won't even attempt to turn over but if I leave it alone for an hour or so, it will fire right up like nothing was ever wrong... I'm stumped!
 
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2011 | 02:39 PM
  #2  
'78F250351m's Avatar
'78F250351m
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
Just an idea but could it be the voltage regulator? or maybe ignition module overheating? My truck wasn't running here and there for a couple weeks and I took the regulator off cleaned the grounds and it fired right up. As I said just a thought.
 
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2011 | 03:32 PM
  #3  
johnson2007's Avatar
johnson2007
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Bozeman, MT
I can try swapping out the regulator next time it happens, but i don't have an ignition module... I replaced it with an MSD unit
 
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2011 | 05:06 PM
  #4  
'78F250351m's Avatar
'78F250351m
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
Ah see I'm not familiar with MSD units I don't know what they consist of. Thanks for the heads up.
 
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2011 | 06:40 PM
  #5  
jayingf's Avatar
jayingf
New User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
If the coil is firing then it has to be between there and the plugs, bad connection on coil wire to cap, cap itself, rotor, or wires. Is it an MSD distributer?
 
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2011 | 08:28 PM
  #6  
johnson2007's Avatar
johnson2007
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Bozeman, MT
Stocky dizzy, msd wires, coil, and spark box. All are almost brand new
 
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2011 | 11:50 PM
  #7  
johnson2007's Avatar
johnson2007
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Bozeman, MT
So I started it up and drove downtown tonight and everything was running perfect. Went inside a place for supper and came out an hour later and she fired up and died right away and won't start now. It will sputter every once in a while when I am cranking but it won't catch. I went back 2 hours later and it fired up again but died right away. It's getting plenty of fuel so I don't know what's going on. It seems like the longer it sits the more it tries to start. Worse part is is that I am taking this pickup home from college because it is spring break. That's a 300 mile drive and my pickup is stranded downtown. Bummer!!!
 
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2011 | 12:07 AM
  #8  
jayingf's Avatar
jayingf
New User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
almost sounds like its flooding. what kind of carb? how did ya check the spark plug? pull it out, put the wire back on, hold the electrode to a good ground, then have someone crank the motor. if no spark sounds like the distributer needs adjusted or replaced. check the points, adjust the gap, etc. just might cure the prob.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-1

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-8

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 11, 2011 | 12:13 AM
  #9  
brooklyn's Avatar
brooklyn
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Have you tested the plug wires for continuity/resistance and double-checked the firing order?
 
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2011 | 02:20 PM
  #10  
johnson2007's Avatar
johnson2007
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Bozeman, MT
Well I bit the bullet and dropped in an MSD 8477 distributor and that solved the problem! It was an expensive fix at $340 but my pickup has never started as good as it does now!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tyce_v
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
2
Oct 14, 2014 09:20 AM
Itown772
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Jul 15, 2014 02:05 PM
SMIGGS
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
1
Feb 14, 2014 07:43 PM
Big Picture
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
3
Jan 23, 2011 01:52 PM
bowez
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Apr 18, 2003 01:32 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:47 PM.

story-0
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-5
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-7
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-8
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE