1974 F100 Getting intermittent spark and wont start
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1974 F100 Getting intermittent spark and wont start
Hey whats up all! My 74 wouldnt start the other day at work and i had to tow it home. when i got it home i checked for spark and im not getting any. I know im getting gas cause i can see it go into the carb when i look in there and push on the gas. so anyway i wasnt getting spark so i left it on the charger for a while and tried it again later and just cranked and cranked and it tried to start a couple times and then it did start once and idles fairly rough for a couple seconds and died again. about a month and a half ago i put new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, points, and condensor on it so i figured the coil is probably the problem so i ordered one and it hasnt showed up yet but i have a feeling something else may be the problem. Its got the 390 in it. Any other ideas?? im hoping the coil shows up on friday its an MSD from jegs.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
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From: Stanley, VA
Replace the coil like you plan. Also, double check the point gap, be sure it hasn't closed up. Did you put a small amount of lube on the distributor cam? If the distributor cam is dry, the points rubbing block can wear rapidly allowing the point gap to close up. If that doesn't fix the problem there are three other things I would check.
First, it could be a bad condenser. These can have the same symptoms as a bad coil. They are relatively cheap. Even though you just replaced it, it could be bad.
Second, there is a small bare ground wire inside the distribrutor. This grounds the breaker plate. IIRC its attached to the points. Be sure it hasn't broken and is correctly connected.
Third, the breaker plate is two pieces, these were notorious for going bad. The pivot disintegrates and allows the points to move around. This throws the point gap out of kilter.
First, it could be a bad condenser. These can have the same symptoms as a bad coil. They are relatively cheap. Even though you just replaced it, it could be bad.
Second, there is a small bare ground wire inside the distribrutor. This grounds the breaker plate. IIRC its attached to the points. Be sure it hasn't broken and is correctly connected.
Third, the breaker plate is two pieces, these were notorious for going bad. The pivot disintegrates and allows the points to move around. This throws the point gap out of kilter.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
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From: Austin, TX
No offense, but I have no idea what you just said.
New User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 17
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how long has it been since you had any major work?
If never.
It could be a bad timing chain 9/10 time that is what it leads up to be when it happens to me
Ok is that better sorry Grammer was never a strong suit of mine. But I am working on it
If never.
It could be a bad timing chain 9/10 time that is what it leads up to be when it happens to me
Ok is that better sorry Grammer was never a strong suit of mine. But I am working on it
Thread Starter
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Replace the coil like you plan. Also, double check the point gap, be sure it hasn't closed up. Did you put a small amount of lube on the distributor cam? If the distributor cam is dry, the points rubbing block can wear rapidly allowing the point gap to close up. If that doesn't fix the problem there are three other things I would check.
First, it could be a bad condenser. These can have the same symptoms as a bad coil. They are relatively cheap. Even though you just replaced it, it could be bad.
Second, there is a small bare ground wire inside the distribrutor. This grounds the breaker plate. IIRC its attached to the points. Be sure it hasn't broken and is correctly connected.
Third, the breaker plate is two pieces, these were notorious for going bad. The pivot disintegrates and allows the points to move around. This throws the point gap out of kilter.
First, it could be a bad condenser. These can have the same symptoms as a bad coil. They are relatively cheap. Even though you just replaced it, it could be bad.
Second, there is a small bare ground wire inside the distribrutor. This grounds the breaker plate. IIRC its attached to the points. Be sure it hasn't broken and is correctly connected.
Third, the breaker plate is two pieces, these were notorious for going bad. The pivot disintegrates and allows the points to move around. This throws the point gap out of kilter.
Hey thanks Mike. I replaced the coil and reset the points and its runnin like a champ in fact its sitting in the parking lot at work right now so we will see how she starts in the morning. I think on payday or something i might just go ahead and replace the whole distributer. The coil i bought is a MSD blaster 2 so i was thinkin i would just get an msd distributer also. Any ideas?
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
I don't have any personal experience with MSD's products. I do know they are popular and have a good reputation though.
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Post Fiend
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From: Big Sky Country
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You have points in a '74? consider a Pertronix unit, it's very popular with the '67-'72 crowd.
Ignitor
Ignitor
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Big Sky Country
For your application it's part #1281 you can shop for a better price, i just pulled this up on a quick search to find the correct part number...
PerTronix 1281 - PerTronix Ignitor® Solid-State Ignition Systems - Application - SummitRacing.com
PerTronix 1281 - PerTronix Ignitor® Solid-State Ignition Systems - Application - SummitRacing.com
Thread Starter
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Senior User
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For your application it's part #1281 you can shop for a better price, i just pulled this up on a quick search to find the correct part number...
PerTronix 1281 - PerTronix Ignitor® Solid-State Ignition Systems - Application - SummitRacing.com
PerTronix 1281 - PerTronix Ignitor® Solid-State Ignition Systems - Application - SummitRacing.com
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