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1987 F250 ignition problems

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Old Sep 10, 2011 | 11:35 PM
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1987 F250 ignition problems

1987 F250. 7.5L gas, 460 BB, carbureted. Duraspark ignition.

A couple of problems. First one is I bought an Accel coil (8140c) and mounted it where the stock one is right on top of the driver side front corner where a lot of heat is generated. When it gets hot it shuts off and will not start again until it cools down. If I mounted it on the firewall would it eliminate this problem?

Second one is how do I check and adjust the pick up coil?

Thank you in advance.
 
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Old Sep 11, 2011 | 12:20 AM
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Pick up coil located in the distributor.
 
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Old Sep 11, 2011 | 12:44 AM
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There is no adjustment for the PIP aka stator in the distributor.

Use this to check it: SBFTech.com TFI Module/Hall Sensor Testing Procedure
 
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Old Sep 11, 2011 | 03:01 AM
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From: Calverton
Originally Posted by b37mech
1987 F250. 7.5L gas, 460 BB, carbureted. Duraspark ignition.

If I mounted it on the firewall would it eliminate this problem?


The coil should be fine where you mounted it, something else is failing TFI or PIP
 
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Old Sep 11, 2011 | 04:52 AM
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No TFI, this is a DSII system.

The coil should be fine if you wired it back the same as stock. (12V in Start, +/-7V in run)

I Suspect the blue grommet ignition module mounted on the drivers side inner fender is going bad.
 
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Old Sep 11, 2011 | 05:21 AM
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From: Calverton
Originally Posted by ArdWrknTrk
No TFI, this is a DSII system.

The coil should be fine if you wired it back the same as stock. (12V in Start, +/-7V in run)

I Suspect the blue grommet ignition module mounted on the drivers side inner fender is going bad.


You are sharp
 
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Old Sep 11, 2011 | 03:28 PM
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I do have the DS system and when the vehicle gets hot it shuts off. I replace the coil with my stock one and it starts immediately. I have read somewhere where the coil gets hot then shuts off ignition.


Question relating, I have an ignition suppression resistor or ballast resistor on this vehicle and it is supposed to reduce/limit the voltage going to the positive side of the coil. I cannot find an ignition suppression resistor/ballast resistor anywhere
 
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Old Sep 11, 2011 | 03:49 PM
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It is a thicker pink(?) section of wire built into the harness.
You'll need to unwrap the harness to actually see it.
 
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Old Sep 11, 2011 | 03:55 PM
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Mine is black wire with a resistor that looks like a condenser. The wiring diagram call it an ignition suppression resistor.
 
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Old Sep 11, 2011 | 04:05 PM
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From: Calverton
Originally Posted by b37mech
Mine is black wire with a resistor that looks like a condenser. The wiring diagram call it an ignition suppression resistor.


I think that is a noise suppressor for the radio, I could be wrong but I doubt it, anyway Ford sells them but has to be ordered most likely...your truck have a EEC? I don't think the new coil is in play here, if wired correctly...Motor starts, dies when hot, look to the PIP/module circuit
 
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Old Sep 11, 2011 | 04:27 PM
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No EEC on these trucks.
You're right Slipfordman, that condensor is for radio suppression.
On my truck the resistor wire is in the cab, not in the engine harness.
But it should be easy enough to probe the coil feed with the ignition in 'run', looking for 7-8V.
When you hit 12V you are between the switch and the resistor.
 
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Old Sep 11, 2011 | 05:03 PM
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So should I be getting 7-8 volts at the positive side of the coil?
I am getting 12v
 
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Old Sep 11, 2011 | 06:31 PM
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You should be getting 12 Volts while cranking the starter and 7-8 volts in 'run'.

This is a basic color coded schematic...



from this page Duraspark II
 
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Old Sep 11, 2011 | 06:35 PM
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You'll also see above that the white wire triggers the ignition box's timing retard while cranking, to help ease the load in the starter.
Some '70's vehicles used the 'I' terminal on the starter solenoid to enable this function.
 
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Old Sep 11, 2011 | 10:08 PM
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Originally Posted by ArdWrknTrk
No TFI, this is a DSII system.

The coil should be fine if you wired it back the same as stock. (12V in Start, +/-7V in run)

I Suspect the blue grommet ignition module mounted on the drivers side inner fender is going bad.
Yep...good catch, I missed this one for sure!
 
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