I recently was given an 83 F100 w/ 81,000 miles. The only catch is that it hadn't run in over 7 yrs. I changed out the rotted fuel tank and sending unit. Replaced the battery, since it was dead, and the starter solenoid switch. Installed a new fuel and air filter, plugs and wires, and cap and rotor. I also squirted a little WD-40 in the cylinders since they haven't been lubed in over 7 yrs. I turned over the engine a few times with a remote starter and then installed the plugs. I tried to start the engine but it wouldn't start. It cranked just fine but no ignition. I'm going to check in the morning to see if I'm getting a spark. But does anyone have any ideas of what it could be? How do you check the coil and the ignition module. Any help and ideas would be appreciated.

Omar 83F100

 

See if you are getting fuel by looking down the carb while moving the throttle. It should squirt fuel. Take a spark plug wire off, stick a screw driver in the wire and hold it close to the engine block while cranking. A spark should jump to the block. Here is a wiring diagram for the duraspark II. If your truck has a computer, this won't be much help.

 

Thanks for your help. I tried what you told me. The ignition system was fine cause I was getting a spark. I saw no fuel coming in and check the fuel pump but it was working. I had installed a new fuel filter before I started this project because the truck has been sitting around for over 7 yrs. I decided to pour a little gas down the carb as an experiment to see what would happen and what do you know, it started right up. It only ran for a few seconds so I knew it was a carb problem. With the truck sitting for so long I knew something must have been plugged up in the carb. I kept spraying carb cleaner and fuel down the carb for a while to see if it would clean it up enough to sustain an idle but it wouldn't. I just decided to spend the money on a rebuilt carb( $82). Put it in and it started right up. Runs great but it might be running a tade hot. I'm going to change the thermostat since its been sitting for so long, could be stuck. Also, I crawled under the truck and the exhaust system looks pretty sad, some holes and lots of rust. I'm going to have the cat and muffler changed and all the tubing from the cat all the way back. Its great to have the truck running especially since it was FREE and I only invested in it a new tank,sending unit, carb, fuel filter, plugs, wires, cap and rotor.Thanks again for your help.

Omar 83 F100

 

you said that there wasnt no fuel comin through the carb jets
Dont get a new carb till you put a new fuel pump on taht motor. In 7 years, that old fuel pump's diaphramn is gonna crack up and deteriorate. Also, dont forget to change the oil after you change the fuel pump since a cracked diaphramn is gonna allow gas to enter the crankcase and thin the oil out, resulting in bad wear on the bearings and everything else in there. Also, try a can of motor flush to flush out all the sludge created from condensation in the crankcase. Try synthetic blend, I put it in my 302 and it helps gas mileage and stays cleaner alot longer than conventional.

 

He's got a fuel filter, and most fuel pumps now have a weep hole drilled in the housing to keep fuel from flooding the engine. A new pump would be good insurance though because, I don't know what they put in the gas nowdays, but it ruins everything if it sets.