I have an 85 B2, auto with duraspark.

On the way home from work, i got half way and my truck would start to stutter if i gave it some gas, i had to limp home going around 10 - 15 mph. I got it home and i was not able to restart it. I was able to get it started later in the day to show my brother, but was able to get it started after that. He thought i should replace the fuel filter because i have ran it dry a few times.

Well today i went to change the filter, i disconnected it from the carb and the line would not stop leaking gas, every other time i have disconnected the line it would leak about 1/2 cup then stop.

So i got the new filter put on and it wouldn't start. It would crank and crank but not fire. I finally got it start and it puffed to life, while it was starting up it wold puff smoke out the top of the carb.

I checked the fuel pump and timing. The fuel pump delivered lots of fuel with very little cranking and the timing was right at 12 btdc, which is were i set it. I can get the truck to start if i crank it for like 5 minutes.

Well after flooding the engine (i think, i pulled the plugs and 2 had gas on them), i pulled the plugs and cranked it a few times to air out the cylinders and let it sit over night. I redid some of my connextions for the duraspark conversion, and put back in the plugs.

I cranked it and nothing

So i pumped the gas and cranked it, it made a pop in the exhaust but nothing loud, so i kept cranking and it did it again, so i i shrugged it off. Cranked it some more and BOOM.

So does that mean i have spark?

What else could it be???

Sry for such a long post but this covers everything i have tried. I am at wit ends with this i have tried everything with no results.

 

Did you just check static timing without the motor running, or did you check it while cranking the motor over? If you were cranking the motor over, you evidently have spark. A backfire would normally indicate some type of timing issue. Maybe a valve stuck open? You might try a compression check next. Were you having any problems prior to this current issue, or was any maintenance performed prior to your current issue? Just some things to think about.

 

Just one quick thought, Tommylea touched on it, but if it is popping it is likely timing issue / problem. Make sure the timing is set correctly. The fact that it's popping and booming means you do have a spark. Tommylea already hit on the rest. Something worth checking and confirming: spark plug wires are plugged in the right order and plugs are correctly gaped.

 

I tested the timing with the motor running, when I could get it to start. I replaced the cap and rotor and it didn't help. I then determined I have spark from the cool but not coming off the distributor.

 

You said it was Durasparked..............By you or a PO?......Check over all that homemade wiring and balast resistor for the Duraspark system, my guess is something here has let go.
The Rangerstation.com has a fantastic schematic for the 85 2.8 Dura spark system, check it against yours (The 83-84 system is different, do not look there.)

 

It was durasparked by me.

Well i made some progress today. I got it to start by jumping it with my friends escape, resetting the mixture screws to 3 turns from lightly seated and with some starting fluid. The truck seemed to idle a lot better than before. I would drive down the street with its own power, but would still stutter slightly above 15 mph.

 

What carb are you using?..............I hope its not the old 2150a stock feedback carb?

 

No it is a motorcraft 2100, off of a 289. It had been running fine till the 5 when all of this started.

 

So you have ascertained you have a good HOT spark?...........Changed the coil or Duraspark module yet?........I have seen bad modules right out of the box (Thanks, China)

 

I have a good spark from the coil, and yesterday i didn't think i was getting spark from the dizzy, but i got it started today. I got the dspark box tested the other day and they said it was fine.

 

Process of elimination. You seem to be working the charging, ignition, and fuel systems all at the same time. In my opinion, if it was running fine, there should be no reason to adjust the carb or use starting fluid, unless there is a fuel system issue. If you are getting fire from the coil, and not the distributor then it wouldn't start. That would point to the ignition module or pickup coil if your system has these. If you have to jump start the vehicle, then you have a starting/charging issue. First step would be to make sure your electrical system is up to speed. Check the battery, alternator, and cables. These have to be up to speed for other things to work. Then move to fuel. Check the fuel pressure with a gauge, so you can document the pressure. Then move to the carb. Maybe some gunk in needle and seat. Does it squirt when you pump the accelerator. Do you have good pattern if the engine does start. I think you can pull the top off that carb and still run the engine. Use a vacuum guage and see if it is steady. Is exhaust plugged up. Compression test. Then move to ignition.