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This is my first ever forum post and I’m at a loss for ideas.
I purchased a 1988 F350 with a 460 and 5 speed manual about 2 years ago. It ran flawlessly for the first six months and started having a sputtering issue. Replaced the High Pressure Fuel Pump and it ran good for a couple months and then it started acting up again. I replaced both in tank pumps, the tank selector valve, fuel filter, and fuel pressure regulator. That seemed to fix it for about a week and then it died while driving. If I let it sit for about 20 minutes it would start up and drive for a couple miles and then do it again. This week I replaced the TFI on the distributor and the Ignition Coil. That seemed to fix it for a couple hours and now the truck hardly stays running at an idle. It also has new plugs and wires, map sensor and TPS sensor. It seems like a fuel issue to me but I haven’t been able to figure it out. Any ideas? Thanks
It does have a valve on the fuel rail and when I push on it fuel comes out. It seems to be more of a spit than a steady stream if that makes sense. I don’t have a pressure gauge but my assumption is that with the key on and the High Pressure pump running it should shoot the fuel out in a hard steady stream. I can hear the pump running and it’s relatively new so it should work theoretically. The fuel pressure regulator is also new. I’ve been thinking maybe something is clogged in one of the fuel lines somewhere after the high pressure pump but I’m not sure. I can usually drive it for about 3 miles before it dies or it will usually idle for about 15 minutes and then die. Hence why I changed the TFI and Ignition Coil but today it would not even stay running for 30 seconds
I’ll pick one up today. I don’t necessarily mind throwing the parts at it only because I have intentions to restore the truck once my boys are older and can help and learn. Just getting frustrated because I’d like to drive it every once in awhile. Thank you everyone
Damn straight, buy a code reader too
Check the capacitors in your processor
Check (see to it) that key on coil voltage is not interrupted, means see if your ignition switch is coming apart
You need to drive it around with a fuel pressure gauge
That would be step 1
Back when it ran
Now
Double check the base timing (be sure to unplug the spout wire)
I only have an OBD-II scanner but the truck has never had an engine light on. Do these truck even have a scan port on them? And I’ll give the fuel gauge a try and see what it says. Assuming fuel pressure should be minimum 30psi??
Very few OBD-II code readers are adaptable to read Ford OBD-I codes. The test port is located near the driver side hood hinge. There can be Stored Codes without triggering a Check Engine Light (CEL). Does your CEL illuminate when you cycle the key from the Off to Run position?
I have ordered the scanner and a pressure gauge. I tried starting the truck to move it and now it won’t start. Just cranks but won’t fire. I’ll be at work tomorrow and Sunday so I’ll have to look at it on Monday. Thanks again everyone
Try flood clear
Might be stubborn to start
Try to get it up to operating temp, if you can, the next time it does run
Ford Asset students were all required to build and use their own star tester boxes
Basically, a paper clip method but in a box with its own light
Those plans are still out there
So are the OEM star testers like this one
