Ok here's the story. I just read the 400 won't run post and
I hope that's not what happened to me.
Sat. I installed a new water pump PICS HERE
and started the truck up let it run for about 20 min. then took it for a drive
only drove it for about 5 minutes but let it run for awhile. Even turned it off
let it sit and then started it up again. No problems right...wrong!

Sunday morning I get in to take it out in the field and it won't start
(cranks but won't start or even sputter). Now
it's like 5 degrees here and there is some snow that got blown in
under the hood so I figure she's just real cold. I spray some startin
fluid and same result. I can smell the gas under the hood (faintly)
so I figured no spark I pull the plugs and they look crappy and reek
of gas. I gap some new ones and put them in. Try again and
nothing. I don't understand how it can run so good the night before
and then just not start the next couple days. Any help would
be appreciated.

 

maybe coil wires came loose???my 351m will acted the same way when a coil wire come off...just a thought

 

looked at pics...nice looking weiand pump...definatly check your wires around the coil...looks like maybe that orange connecter might be suspect...looks like a house hold connecter...

 

check and see if you have some moisture in the distrubitor that could be the problem of no spark or maby the coil

 

Yeah that's what I thought too because I had this same problem about
5 years ago with this truck. That's why that wire nut is on there.
I took it off and check it. Seems clean and seems to be making
good contact. But you're right I'm going to pull all the wire loom off
and electrical tape and re do that entire mess. I just don't think
that's the problem. Since I messed with all those wires Sun. to no avail.

What about the ignition module? Do those usually go bad?
Between the Dist. and coil? mounted on the fender wall area.
Also my Dad said maybe the points. My cap didn't look cracked or
anything. But I guess I'll get a new one and some new wires I guess.

 

yeah I opened it up didn't see any water droplets or anything

I hope the coil isn't bad. It is about 6 years old though.
Do they usually go bad that fast? The other coil was in the truck
for 20 years before it crapped out.

 

usually don't go out...i would try pull a spark plug wire from a plug...plug another plug in an crank to see if it is getting spark..

 

another thought...might just be the the roter inside the cap...i don't think you have points...that was another thing that happen to me the roter was worn...the motor would crank but wouldn't start...replaced the roter and it fired right up...maybe you have an old one from last tune-up???

 

if your not getting spark to plugs first try replacing rotor...and or rotor and cap...i give you alot of credit being out in that cold..

 

I don't really know to much about the rotor and or distributor. But
I'm assuming that when I replace the rotor. The new one has to go
on facing the exact same direction the old one was right? I just wanna
make sure I don't screw anything up.

 

yes the rotor can only go on one way...easy fix just pull up on old one and slide new one on...you will see when you get old one off...look onder it an you will see the key way

 

Take the cap off and turn the engine over and see if the roto is turning. I had a distributer drive gear break.

 

Ok last night I did't have much time but I got out there
and removed all that electrical tape I put on there about
6 years ago when I had this same problem. And what I
found was not pretty. Wires were corroded green, cracked
and broken almost in half. So I got my spools of wire out and
went to town. I didn't get all of them done. But I got the
worst ones taken care of. Tried starting the truck and it puttered
once but that was it. Cranks but no turn over.

Thanks for the info everyone. I'm going to try and get a new rotor
and cap on lunch. And yes I checked the rotor it has turned since
last I checked. Good idea though thanks!

 

Just an update, I replaced the cap and rotor last night.
It sputtered once but still won't start. I'm gonna replace the
rest of the wires tonight and the plug wires as well.
It was 5 degrees last night so I couldn't stay out there any longer.
If fixing the rest of the coil wires and replacing the plug wires
doesn't work I don't know what I'll do. I'm all out of ideas.

 

were you getting spark to spark plugs???be sure the coil to distributer wire has good connection..(pull the rubber boot back abit plug in and snug rubber boot back to place)
use a spare/old plug or 2 to make sure your getting spark to the spark plugs...
i would say if you replaced rotor,cap,plugs,wires....you may have to look at your timing...that's why you have to first confirm your getting spark to the plugs...how many miles on timing chain???