Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

400 starting issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 10:14 PM
  #1  
montana105's Avatar
montana105
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Kalispell,Montana
400 starting issues

Hey everyone! I 've got a 79 3/4 ton 2wd 400 ci. In the past month or so I've put an edelbrock manifold and carb on the truck and also replaced the lifters at the time.Since then when the truck gets warm to hot it barely cranks over,been all over the scale with the timing and nothing seems to correct this. Wednesday the wife was driving it and while picking up the kids from school she shut it off,and it wouldn't crank at all after that.After work I went over and had to hook up jumper cables and a jump box just to get it to turn over,and after it finally fired it sounded like the valves wanted to jump out of the head.Been so busy at work haven't had a chance to look at anything and wanted to get some ideas. Is this a timing chain issue? I'd lean towards starter or solenoid with the starting issue,but the clacking noise after it does start leans towards timing or valve issues.The noise doesn't go away moving the dist,but does quiet down.Any thoughts? Thanks,John
 
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 10:39 PM
  #2  
Mil1ion's Avatar
Mil1ion
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
The problem is usually timing. A LOT of trucks have this problem.

Cold starts are great >>>> Hot starts suck.



Trucks with headers cause problems for the starter by over-heating them so much the starter drive won't engage.

How many miles on this engine ?

The plastic gear wears out at about 110,000-120,000 miles.

Check the timimg gear & chain for slop.
 
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 10:57 PM
  #3  
montana105's Avatar
montana105
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Kalispell,Montana
Hey Million- the truck has 143000 miles on it,no headers as of yet.Are the gears the carbon fiber/fiberglass type? John
 
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 11:03 PM
  #4  
Mil1ion's Avatar
Mil1ion
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Yes they are.

What EXACT condition is your battery & all the connections in ?

The heat of the starter can affect the qualities (expansion/contraction) in the electrical function of the starter drive.

I notice mine in the heat of the summer... 29*C +
 
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 11:05 PM
  #5  
Matts72's Avatar
Matts72
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
They're actually phenolic (plastic) on the cam end. I replaced my original set at 305,000 miles... so they can be very long lasting too...

I would say that your starter is going out.
 
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 11:20 PM
  #6  
montana105's Avatar
montana105
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Kalispell,Montana
Although it's no gaurantee,the battery and all cables are less than 4 months old.the problem only started after the manifold change out.The very loud clacking noise concerns me after it's running.
 
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 11:21 PM
  #7  
montana105's Avatar
montana105
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Kalispell,Montana
Matt,do you live off of Easy street and miners place
 
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2005 | 11:40 PM
  #8  
Mil1ion's Avatar
Mil1ion
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Clacking sound some around the starter is the starter drive (bendix) is hanging up and allowing the flexplate to hit it.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 9, 2005 | 06:46 PM
  #9  
Matts72's Avatar
Matts72
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
Yeppers...

I think the clacking is your valve train. What brand of lifters did you use. I've had bad luck with everything except Comp Cams Xtreme energy lifters.
 
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2005 | 08:36 PM
  #10  
montana105's Avatar
montana105
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Kalispell,Montana
I wondered,think I live right down from you.Yeah I used Clevite lifters against my better judgement,probably be down to see you at the store next weekend.Gonna put a new starter in tomorrow,see if it turns over at least.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Spank226
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
10
May 5, 2013 05:38 PM
BDalton
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
11
Jul 15, 2012 05:09 PM
GonzoCSU
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
4
Feb 3, 2010 08:54 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:49 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE