HELP 1979*
HELP 1979*
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New User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 5
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Big Blue Truck
I have a 79' Blue Ford 
truck with a 351 engine, 4x4. I have been having some issues with her. After work I started blue up and started driving away, was having no problems. Then maybe 10 minutes later it seemed like it slipped out of gear and revved up a little, I tried to push down on the gas but nothing happened and then it died on me. I tried to start it back up and it wont start, sounds like it wants to be nothing. I have power to everything, checked the battery connection, changed the distributor cap, and she still wont start.. 
I have pictures of it on my profile if you want to check her out!!
Please Help me out
truck with a 351 engine, 4x4. I have been having some issues with her. After work I started blue up and started driving away, was having no problems. Then maybe 10 minutes later it seemed like it slipped out of gear and revved up a little, I tried to push down on the gas but nothing happened and then it died on me. I tried to start it back up and it wont start, sounds like it wants to be nothing. I have power to everything, checked the battery connection, changed the distributor cap, and she still wont start.. I have pictures of it on my profile if you want to check her out!!
Please Help me out
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
If it's turning over but not trying to start, check for spark and fuel.
Pull the coil wire out of the distributor cap and hold it about 1/4" away from a good ground and have someone turn the key to start. You should see a strong blue-white spark jump the gap at the coil wire. If you don't see that, my first suspicion would be the dura-spark module.
If you see good spark, next remove the air filter cover and look down the throat of the carb. Pump the throttle, you should see two strong jets of gas shoot into the throat of the carb.
Try this and report back.
Pull the coil wire out of the distributor cap and hold it about 1/4" away from a good ground and have someone turn the key to start. You should see a strong blue-white spark jump the gap at the coil wire. If you don't see that, my first suspicion would be the dura-spark module.
If you see good spark, next remove the air filter cover and look down the throat of the carb. Pump the throttle, you should see two strong jets of gas shoot into the throat of the carb.
Try this and report back.
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Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Nov 2015
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79'
Automatic- it's turning over but not trying to start.
Thanks Mike I will try that and get back to you!!
Thanks Mike I will try that and get back to you!!
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,512
Likes: 3
From: Panama City
So no fire. Gotta start at the coil. See if it is firing. If not then very good possibility its the duraspark icm. These are actually cheap enough you should change it anyhow if it hasnt been changed in a while. If you do have fire from the coil to the distributor you need to check plug wires. Just check one and if it fires most likely they are ok. If it fires pull the plug. Not really likely all 8 plugs went at the same time.But check to make sure the 1 fires when grounded. If you dont have fire from plug wires then probably the stator in distributor.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 990
Likes: 4
From: Tamaroa, IL
If there's no spark it's probably the Ignition Control Module (as many have said already). These things are notorious for going bad and creating a whole mess of strange symptoms. Sometimes they work intermediately, sometimes they just make the truck run rough, and sometimes they fail all at once. It's actually a good idea to keep a spare ICM with the truck since they are relatively cheap.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
If it does turn out to be the ignition module, spend the bucks and get a genuine Ford/Motorcraft module. The aftermarket versions (aka "Chinese made") are notorious for going bad in short order and also being bad right out of the box.