I have a 1987 E150 Cargo Van. It has been running intermittant for the last year. Two weeks ago it died on the highway. After about 10 minutes it started and I was able to limp home on four or five cylinders. The engine is a 4.9 liter 6 cylinder. The weirdest thing that is happening is when you turn the engine over it has no spark, but when you release the key from the start to the run position the engine starts??? Sometimes it runs fine and idles well, other times it is all over the map and will not idle unless you keep the gas pedal depressed. I have done the following:
-changed the TFI module
-Changed the TFI module and distributor
-Changed the coil
-new plugs and ignition harness
-Changed the distributor Cap and Rotor
-Changed the ignition Switch on the steering column
Tomorrow I am going to try a new (used) EEC IV computer if I can get one. This seems to be the last straw. I have not changed it yet because everyone I talk to says Ford has a very reliable Computer Module and they seldom fail. Does anyone have any other Ideas??? HELP!!
Bill.

 

Have you pulled the codes? Only other thing I can think of is the fuel filter. (long shot)
Let us know how it goes.