351M engine died while on idle!
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 184
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From: League City Texas
351M engine died while on idle!
Hello,
I am seeking advise on a problem I have experience with my truck.
My dent is a 79 F 150 with a 351M. The engine has died while running and while on idle. After trying to restart, the battery looses starting power after several attempts. When I try to jumpstart the truck, it appears that the battery gains power but have no luck starting the truck. After a day or so and a full battery recharge, my truck starts and runs for 20 to 30 min then dies again. My battery, alternator, ignition coil, spark plug wires, rotor and cap on distributor have all been replaced or checked to be good. Any advise on what could be the problem? By the way, the fuel pump appears to be in good shape as well. I verified this by removing the fuel filter from the carb and observing fuel flow when trying to restart. Thanks in advance!
I am seeking advise on a problem I have experience with my truck.
My dent is a 79 F 150 with a 351M. The engine has died while running and while on idle. After trying to restart, the battery looses starting power after several attempts. When I try to jumpstart the truck, it appears that the battery gains power but have no luck starting the truck. After a day or so and a full battery recharge, my truck starts and runs for 20 to 30 min then dies again. My battery, alternator, ignition coil, spark plug wires, rotor and cap on distributor have all been replaced or checked to be good. Any advise on what could be the problem? By the way, the fuel pump appears to be in good shape as well. I verified this by removing the fuel filter from the carb and observing fuel flow when trying to restart. Thanks in advance!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: League City Texas
Devino,
I have not checked the regulator. I was told by the parts store that the battery and alternator are good. Is a mystery why it dies after running for 20 min or so. Then it will not start again. The battery appears to have a l
I have not checked the regulator. I was told by the parts store that the battery and alternator are good. Is a mystery why it dies after running for 20 min or so. Then it will not start again. The battery appears to have a l
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: League City Texas
Devino,
I have not checked the regulator. I was told by the parts store that the battery and alternator are good. Is a mystery why it dies after running for 20 min or so. Then it will not start again. The battery appears to have a lot of juice left after it dies. My understanding is that the battery helps start the engine then the alternator takes over correct? In other words, once the truck starts the battery is charged by the alternator and batt is used for stereo, lights etc.
I have not checked the regulator. I was told by the parts store that the battery and alternator are good. Is a mystery why it dies after running for 20 min or so. Then it will not start again. The battery appears to have a lot of juice left after it dies. My understanding is that the battery helps start the engine then the alternator takes over correct? In other words, once the truck starts the battery is charged by the alternator and batt is used for stereo, lights etc.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,501
Likes: 4
From: Lynchburg, VA
Devino,
I have not checked the regulator. I was told by the parts store that the battery and alternator are good. Is a mystery why it dies after running for 20 min or so. Then it will not start again. The battery appears to have a lot of juice left after it dies. My understanding is that the battery helps start the engine then the alternator takes over correct? In other words, once the truck starts the battery is charged by the alternator and batt is used for stereo, lights etc.
I have not checked the regulator. I was told by the parts store that the battery and alternator are good. Is a mystery why it dies after running for 20 min or so. Then it will not start again. The battery appears to have a lot of juice left after it dies. My understanding is that the battery helps start the engine then the alternator takes over correct? In other words, once the truck starts the battery is charged by the alternator and batt is used for stereo, lights etc.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
I can never understand why people suggest looking at the charging system in a no-start situation, makes no sense.
When the engine dies, immediately go look for spark & fuel.
Can you see fuel being injected into the throat of the carb when you fully open the linkage with your hand?
Can you see a spark when you remove a plug wire, insert a screwdriver, hold it near a ground and have somebody try and start it?
The charging system has absolutely nothing to do with it.
When the engine dies, immediately go look for spark & fuel.
Can you see fuel being injected into the throat of the carb when you fully open the linkage with your hand?
Can you see a spark when you remove a plug wire, insert a screwdriver, hold it near a ground and have somebody try and start it?
The charging system has absolutely nothing to do with it.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: League City Texas
Davino,
Thanks for the info! I dont mind spending 15 dollars on a new voltage regulator. I hope this is the problem. How exactly does the voltage regulator work? What would cause the truck to die? Not enough voltage? Too much? Thanks!
Thanks for the info! I dont mind spending 15 dollars on a new voltage regulator. I hope this is the problem. How exactly does the voltage regulator work? What would cause the truck to die? Not enough voltage? Too much? Thanks!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,501
Likes: 4
From: Lynchburg, VA
I can never understand why people suggest looking at the charging system in a no-start situation, makes no sense.
When the engine dies, immediately go look for spark & fuel.
Can you see fuel being injected into the throat of the carb when you fully open the linkage with your hand?
Can you see a spark when you remove a plug wire, insert a screwdriver, hold it near a ground and have somebody try and start it?
The charging system has absolutely nothing to do with it.
When the engine dies, immediately go look for spark & fuel.
Can you see fuel being injected into the throat of the carb when you fully open the linkage with your hand?
Can you see a spark when you remove a plug wire, insert a screwdriver, hold it near a ground and have somebody try and start it?
The charging system has absolutely nothing to do with it.
It varies the field current supplied to the alternator.
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Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
The starter motor draws 200+ amps, the ignition system less than 5.
If the battery has enough power to turn the starter motor, then it certainly has enough power to keep the ignition working.
If the battery has enough power to turn the starter motor, then it certainly has enough power to keep the ignition working.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: League City Texas
Guys,
There are good points in both arguments. I did check the fuel system and the fuel pump is pushing enough fuel to the carb. The carb has been rebuilt recently. I have not tried the spark plug theory yet. I did read that the voltage regulator will cause the truck to die. The wires, plugs, rotor and cap are new.
There are good points in both arguments. I did check the fuel system and the fuel pump is pushing enough fuel to the carb. The carb has been rebuilt recently. I have not tried the spark plug theory yet. I did read that the voltage regulator will cause the truck to die. The wires, plugs, rotor and cap are new.
Cranky Old Guy
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 6
From: Raphine, Virginia
Just a couple thoughts. A battery can charge and read good voltage, but not able to withstand a load. You likely have a Duraspark ignition that will not operate if voltage gets too low. Second is assuming battery and charging system are working correctly. Heat will affect the coil, ignition module and the pickup coil in the distributor. It doesn't take long for these components to heat up under use and will fail shutting off spark. Anyone of these things could be your problem. Need to check for spark and batt voltage when it quits. No spark, trouble shoot that. Have spark, look towards fuel issue, low pressure for example. Eliminate one function at a time as cause of your problem. Replacing a part does no good till it's proven bad. Too many bad parts right off the shelf.
Your battery should not run down that fast. Make sure you have the charging voltage.
Your battery should not run down that fast. Make sure you have the charging voltage.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
I would put $2 on the ignition module. They are alot like coils and heat up and then they just die. Let it sit and it starts right up. The coil may be doing that too. The fuel filter may be clogged as well killing your pressure. I have experienced both of these problems. The fuel filter though would allow it to run it just wouldnt supply enough gas to allow you to accelerate and eventually the fuel supply couldnt keep up with the engine and it died.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 184
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From: League City Texas
Gunny,
My truck had an alarm box that was wired to the ignition coil and starter solenoid. A mechanic that use to work for Ford back in the 80s disconnected the wire going to the ignition coil and truck started up. Could it be a coinsidence? Maybe, but the truck ran for 30 min with no problem. I have not replaced the voltage regulator as of yet. By the way, is the ignition module expensive? Thanks
My truck had an alarm box that was wired to the ignition coil and starter solenoid. A mechanic that use to work for Ford back in the 80s disconnected the wire going to the ignition coil and truck started up. Could it be a coinsidence? Maybe, but the truck ran for 30 min with no problem. I have not replaced the voltage regulator as of yet. By the way, is the ignition module expensive? Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,501
Likes: 4
From: Lynchburg, VA
Gunny,
My truck had an alarm box that was wired to the ignition coil and starter solenoid. A mechanic that use to work for Ford back in the 80s disconnected the wire going to the ignition coil and truck started up. Could it be a coinsidence? Maybe, but the truck ran for 30 min with no problem. I have not replaced the voltage regulator as of yet. By the way, is the ignition module expensive? Thanks
My truck had an alarm box that was wired to the ignition coil and starter solenoid. A mechanic that use to work for Ford back in the 80s disconnected the wire going to the ignition coil and truck started up. Could it be a coinsidence? Maybe, but the truck ran for 30 min with no problem. I have not replaced the voltage regulator as of yet. By the way, is the ignition module expensive? Thanks