i was driving down the road and the motor just cut out. it didnt jerk or sputter, just cut out. i'm pretty sure that it has fuel, so i guess spark is my next guess. i was wondering if anybody could tell me where the wires to the coil are coming from. 74 f100 with a 390. the coil is new 6 months ago, and everything else appears fine. any other leads would be appreciated. thanks!

 

okay, so i guess there's power to the coil, and there is no spark. with the points distributor instead of electronic ignition, what parts could be wrong with it? again, it didnt start to run rough, it just cut out. THANKS

 

Let's verify this first. Take the aircleaner off, and with the engine off, look down the throat of the carb while you push back on the throttle. You should see two strong streams of fuel pour down the carb.

Do you have a testlight? Hook one side of the testlight to ground, and the other to the negative of the coil(the terminal with the wire that goes to the dist). Crank the engine over, and the testlight should blink on and off.

If it doesn't blink, then put the testlight on the positive of the coil, and turn the key on. The testlight should be on as long as the key is in the run position. If the testlight doesn't burn, then you don't have voltage to the coil. You can verify this by running a short piece of wire from the coil positive to the battery positive. The truck will probably start.

If you have voltage on the coil positive, and the testlight does not blink on the negative of the coil, then you have a problem with your points staying shut. Check the points out. Everytime they open and shut, the testlight should blink on and off when it's on the negative of the coil.

If you have voltage on the positive of the coil, and the testlight blinks on the negative of the coil, then take the dist cap off and crank the engine while watching the rotor. Make sure it's turning.

 

i know it has power to the positive when the ignition is on. could the condenser play a part? thanks

 

Yes it could. If you want to throw parts at it, a set of points and new condensor would not be a waste of money.

 

i think im gonna get some points and a condenser tomarrow, as people are tellin me that they think it's the points. i put a cap and rotor on today, as they were pretty worn anyways, but that didnt do anything. thanks

 

okay, put the points/condenser on. still NOTHING! if anyone has any ideas at all, i would appreciate it. i guess i just dont understand

 

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Make a list of all the things you definitely know(have checked, guessing can get you into trouble). I'll start.

-You said you have power to the coil.
-New points, condenser, rotor, dist cap.
-Did you double check the fuel situation?
-Are the points opening and closing electrically?
-Is the rotor turning?(stripped dist teeth)

You have one of the simplest ignition systems there is. But there can be some strange problems sometimes that replacing parts won't fix (like internal broken wires in the dist). If you need help using a testlight or meter, ask away. Someone on here will be glad to help.

 

okay, sorry im retarded. i was under the understanding that if there was a spark from the high tension lead from the coil to the dist that the coil was fine. well, i guess i had a weenie spark. put a new coil in and it fires right up. THANKS FOR THE HELP!