I am helping rehab a 89 f150. Replaced everything from the block out. Altenator, water pump, distributor, timing cover, belts, air filter, radiator... you name it and it is new. So alot of moving parts in play of things changed.

in working we had issues getting it to start and after some testing that we had power to the Ignition coil and spark we adjusted the distributor and finally it started, ran fine for an hour in the driveway as we bled the power stearing, and still idled great. Took it out for a test drive and two blocks down the road just died. Dead. cranks won't start again. ahhhhhh Any ideas? We put the old distributor back in to see if that was the issue. Still won't start. Now not seeing that there is any spark coming into the top. The mechanic friend helping me held the plug just off the post and no spark.

I could use any advice or options for 1 - why would it run fine for hours and then just crap out on a test drive and 2 - any thoughts why not start now? Frustrating for sure and 3rd friend we are doing the work for isn't happy. I'm the "worthy assistant" aka engineer that is better at studying these things vs the mechanic... aka guy good at installing.

 

What other electrical ignition parts did you replace? I hope you did not throw them away. The new parts you get now are not very good.

Have you pulled the codes? That might give you a clue.

Did you replace the ignition module? If you did do you still have the old one?

Do you have power on the coil white/blue wire when the key is in run?

 

We replaced everything. Alternator. Distributor. Then it wouldn’t start so ignition coil. Still wouldn’t start so back old distributor. He had to tweek some adjustment in it and it fired up and ran for an hour In driveway but then stalled three blocks into test drive and wouldn’t start again.

towed it home and out the old distributor back in again but w the new cap and still won’t start. Mechanic said no spark when he held the plug hovered over the post in center of the cap. He didn’t have his tester with him that night. What is it you think we test? I know the coil has a gray plug but not sure what else

 

Oh! And he doesn’t have the appropriate plug to connect into this age truck. I may need to find one

 

You don't need a plug. A testlight and a jumper wire will do. Here's how to do it.

https://www.fordtruckzone.com/thread...canner.659319/