Not getting spark
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New User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 16
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From: Cheyenne Wyo
Not getting spark
I have a 1968 Ford F250 360ci 4spd. I am having issues getting it to fire. I had some timing issues and I just replaced the solenoid and distributor. Im not getting any spark. When i try to crank the motor over it makes a winding sound like the starter is free spinning but its not. Crank cam and distributor are all engaging but again no spark. What could be causing this problem???
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Still running points and condenser, install known good condenser. Newly manufactured condensers are not too good, specifically.
Check for 12 volts at coil, and healthy spark from coil wire to ground. If so, problem lies in distributor. Make sure ground wire is present between points and breaker plate, etc.
Check for 12 volts at coil, and healthy spark from coil wire to ground. If so, problem lies in distributor. Make sure ground wire is present between points and breaker plate, etc.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
Try Hot wiring it, this will by pass the known faulty ign switch issues.
Add a like#10-22size from +Hot Battery term. to the +side of your coil.
Then turn key to start it, if it starts check both ing switch & an it's rear socket plug for any over heating or burnt wires. The known bad ign switches had round copper terminals.
The Ign. Switches with the Flat blade type terminals were the fix for these poorly designed Ign switches.
Orich
Add a like#10-22size from +Hot Battery term. to the +side of your coil.
Then turn key to start it, if it starts check both ing switch & an it's rear socket plug for any over heating or burnt wires. The known bad ign switches had round copper terminals.
The Ign. Switches with the Flat blade type terminals were the fix for these poorly designed Ign switches.
Orich
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
With a 360 FE, I'm guessing you have a points distributor (?).
If so, put a timing light on it, turned where you can see the end of the timing light, and crank the engine over. If the timing light flashes, you know you have spark. If it doesnt, then there's a problem with the condenser, points, ignition coil, ignition switch or the ignition wiring.
If so, put a timing light on it, turned where you can see the end of the timing light, and crank the engine over. If the timing light flashes, you know you have spark. If it doesnt, then there's a problem with the condenser, points, ignition coil, ignition switch or the ignition wiring.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 4
From: Cupertino
You said you replaced the solenoid.
Do you still have the old one? Put it back on and retry. The ignition is fed from the solenoid on cranking and you may have been bitten by Shanghai garbage, dead out of the box
. Or, try what Orich said, run a hotwire.
Do you still have the old one? Put it back on and retry. The ignition is fed from the solenoid on cranking and you may have been bitten by Shanghai garbage, dead out of the box
. Or, try what Orich said, run a hotwire.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 288
Likes: 2
From: Pocahontas, Iowa.
You said, "....winding sound like the starter is free spinning ........"
Take off the distributor cap and verify that the distributor is actually turning while you crank it. We need to be SURE that the engine is actually turning over FIRST.
We'll help from there.
Take off the distributor cap and verify that the distributor is actually turning while you crank it. We need to be SURE that the engine is actually turning over FIRST.
We'll help from there.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
2X. Op mentioned "timing problems" My 1st thought was timing chain shot so cam and dizzy not spinning. If it is spinning maybe OP did change the timing chain and gears but might not have lined up the gear's timing marks correctly by accident.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Cheyenne Wyo
I havent changed timing gears yet but thats gonna be my next thing to do. Im trying the simplest steps first just so i know that they are new. I bought brand new factory ordered dizzy and it came with new points and new condenser cap and rotor. Im getting spark now but it is not cranking the motor to start. Everything is moving when i turn the key its just not igniting the fuel.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 288
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From: Pocahontas, Iowa.
My guess is that the distributor might not be "Stabbed" correctly.
First take off the distributor cap. Leave the rotor on so you can see where it's pointing when the engine is at "Top Dead Center".
Pull the coil wire and the #1 spark plug.
Hook up a remote starter switch on the solenoid or get help who will turn over the motor for you while using the key.
Put your finger into the #1 hole where you took out the plug.
Bump over the engine until the compression pushes your finger out and stop.
Look where the rotor is pointing too.
Observe where the #1 spark plug wire is on the cap. They should be in alignment.
If not. you installed the distributor incorrectly.
Let me know what you found and we'll go further.
We'll get it.
Bill
First take off the distributor cap. Leave the rotor on so you can see where it's pointing when the engine is at "Top Dead Center".
Pull the coil wire and the #1 spark plug.
Hook up a remote starter switch on the solenoid or get help who will turn over the motor for you while using the key.
Put your finger into the #1 hole where you took out the plug.
Bump over the engine until the compression pushes your finger out and stop.
Look where the rotor is pointing too.
Observe where the #1 spark plug wire is on the cap. They should be in alignment.
If not. you installed the distributor incorrectly.
Let me know what you found and we'll go further.
We'll get it.
Bill
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New User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 16
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From: Cheyenne Wyo
Aftet i started gettin spark the carb wasnt pulling in fuel then i pumped the throttle about 6 times an its started pulling in the fuel but still a no go on firing. Imma be replacing the spark plugs becuz 4 out of the 8 are fouled up pretty bad.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
A heads up/ Your fuel pump pulls fuel then pushes the gas up to the carb from the pump just to keep your thinking straight. it should really only take 2-3 pump on the gas pedal once the carb has a good full fuel bowl and to set the choke closed.
What was the out come from my earlier post of trying to HOT WIRE to see if it we start that way. Or did you even bother to try it? In my Post #3
Orich
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9,856
Likes: 254
From: missouri
hum fouled plugs.. like orich said there could be many reasons for that.. did you just put in new ones??.. maybe your flooded... pull all the plugs blow some air in each hole and see what comes out.. if clean and dry, install a good set of plugs ..pump the fuel once looking in the carb throat to be sure accelerator pump is working then see if it will start
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