Crank no start
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 13
Crank no start
Alright, this truck has me stumped. I have a 1988 F250 with the 5.8L that cranks and doesn't start. Here's a bit of background.
I purchased the truck several weeks back. The owner let it sit for 15 years and decided to sell it, so we brought it home on a flatbed. First thing I did was put a battery in to see if it cranks, which it did.
I then put some fuel in the intake to see if it would fire up, which it did. Once I knew it would start and run, I bought a new fuel tank, pump assembly for the tank, high pressure pump, and fuel filter. Got those installed, put fresh fuel in and went to start it and nothing. Not even a pop like it wants to start. So I put some fuel in the intake again to see if it would start. Nothing. Doesn't even pop.Next step, I pulled a plug to see if there is spark and there isn't spark.
I installed the above parts and didn't mess with anything else, so I'm not sure why there isn't spark now when it ran the first night getting it home.
Any suggestions on where to look next?
I purchased the truck several weeks back. The owner let it sit for 15 years and decided to sell it, so we brought it home on a flatbed. First thing I did was put a battery in to see if it cranks, which it did.
I then put some fuel in the intake to see if it would fire up, which it did. Once I knew it would start and run, I bought a new fuel tank, pump assembly for the tank, high pressure pump, and fuel filter. Got those installed, put fresh fuel in and went to start it and nothing. Not even a pop like it wants to start. So I put some fuel in the intake again to see if it would start. Nothing. Doesn't even pop.Next step, I pulled a plug to see if there is spark and there isn't spark.
I installed the above parts and didn't mess with anything else, so I'm not sure why there isn't spark now when it ran the first night getting it home.
Any suggestions on where to look next?
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 13
Ok, I narrowed it down to the ICM, which brings about my next issue. In order to change out the ICM, the distributor needs to rotate counterclockwise, yet it is seized like a mother. I've spent the last 3 hours heating, spraying PB blaster, and prying on this thing to try getting it broke free. Well, I heated, sprayed, and pryed one last time and cracked the distributor housing towards the block.
Any ideas on how I go about removing the distributor now?
Any ideas on how I go about removing the distributor now?
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 13
Spent another hour heating and using PB blaster and the distributor still will not break free. Getting fed up with this, I put a strap around the distributor and tied the other end to the bucket of a skidsteer thinking it has to break free now. Nope. Not even dancing the front end of the truck around for several minutes broke it free. This is insane!
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,190
Likes: 620
Spent another hour heating and using PB blaster and the distributor still will not break free. Getting fed up with this, I put a strap around the distributor and tied the other end to the bucket of a skidsteer thinking it has to break free now. Nope. Not even dancing the front end of the truck around for several minutes broke it free. This is insane!
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 31,956
Likes: 2,406
From: Upstate NY
Check out the end of this link for your stuck Disty. Stuck Distributor: the final "solution"... - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums (ford-trucks.com)
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 13
Check out the end of this link for your stuck Disty. Stuck Distributor: the final "solution"... - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums (ford-trucks.com)
Thanks!
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,961
Likes: 594
From: Greater Austin, Texas
Use a mix of 50% ATF and 50% Acetone. Works much better than PBB or any other penetrant for that matter.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 13
I'm gonna try this out next as round 4 of the lye solution isn't working...just put round 5 on. Nine hours of dicking with this thing now 🤬
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
I have been following this and researched a little. The most common thing I found is the dizzy must be able to turn before you can pull it. 50/50 Acetone and ATF were mentioned as was above to be the best lubricant to soak with in the information. The last thing I read that worked is a hammer and a chisel. These were all different situations.
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 13
I have been following this and researched a little. The most common thing I found is the dizzy must be able to turn before you can pull it. 50/50 Acetone and ATF were mentioned as was above to be the best lubricant to soak with in the information. The last thing I read that worked is a hammer and a chisel. These were all different situations.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
I have a feeling the motor is gonna have to be yanked to pound it out from below. Really hate to do that; however, after 6 hours of soaking, heating, and beating on it yesterday, and 4 hours today repeating a soak in lye solution and beating, I'm thinking the worst. Just got trying to pull it with the skidsteer again with no luck. Next is the ATF/Acetone mix, which I'm gonna start trying here in the next hour.
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 13
I tried the 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF and let it soak for 18 hours. Still won't budge. Spent another 6 hours today trying to break it free. I'll keep trying for a few more hours this evening, then call it quits.
