Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Ignition problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 11, 2018 | 08:57 AM
  #1  
grayburk's Avatar
grayburk
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Question Ignition problems

Hello, I have an 86 f150 XLT Lariat that has an engine swap from an explorer I believe. It is a little custom built but mostly 302. I was driving it and about to leave a lot when the truck started to die. It was very bouncy RPM and then quit. We towed it home and began to look. The distributor rotor turns, the battery is charged, and the fuel rail has pressure. The fuel pump comes on and will operate as normal. When we pulled off the first spark plug wire, it had a spark. The second didnt. So we used the first wire on the second prong and it till didn't spark. The ignition system is an aftermarket MSD distributor and ignition coil. The cap is clean and does not have any damage to it. The throttle body does have oil in it, but the air filter is a K&N cold air intake that requires to be oiled. When the truck sits for a while, it will start and run for about a minute and then die and not start again. I did get it started at one point by pumping the gas and getting it to rev high for a second. It sat there and then began to lower RPM again and then it died. I have no idea what would cause only one of the 8 prongs on the distributor to fire.
 
Reply
Old May 11, 2018 | 05:29 PM
  #2  
FuzzFace2's Avatar
FuzzFace2
FTE Legend
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,830
Likes: 4,094
From: Angier, NC
Club FTE Gold Member
Welcome to FTE.
This MSD system is it a stand alone dist. or does it use the MSD box as they have 2 different setup?
If it uses a MSD box that uses a rev-limit chip pull the chip, think it will still run, and see if that does anything.
Is it just that #2 that has no spark or all the other no spark? Thinking all you get is that first spark then nothing else.
I think the MSD site has a section on how to check their systems but have not been over there in a bit.
BTW I have the whole MSD setup with 6AL box in my drag car and why I know a little about them.
Dave ----
 
Reply
Old May 12, 2018 | 08:33 AM
  #3  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,950
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
He said "fuel rail". Is this engine carbed or fuel injected?
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Schickel
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Feb 20, 2014 04:28 PM
Neptunestriton
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Feb 17, 2014 08:19 PM
Blue and White
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Nov 6, 2011 02:17 PM
cricket
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Apr 30, 2000 07:20 PM
Eric
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Oct 1, 1999 06:27 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:07 AM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE