After several months of pulling my hair out, I finally figured out what was wrong with my 58 Ford f100 1/2 ton pick up. I am hoping to save someone the trouble and time I went through. The symptom was it would try to start but as soon as you turned the key to "run" position it would die. Everyone I talked to told me the carb needed rebuilt. I rebuilt it which was pretty easy since it was a 2 barrel only to have the same problem. I checked the timing, plug wires, firing order, anything I could think of. The key was it would not even try to fire if I tried to drift start it. Finally after reading thru the manual I ran across a description of what the ballast resistor does and realized what was going on.
The ballast resistor cuts the voltage down to the points when the truck is running, the ignition bypasses the ballast resistor during start up so it gets full voltage during cranking (voltage drops during heavy load of turning engine). After checking the resistor with an ohm meter it read 6 ohms, should have been 1 ohm. After replacing the resistor (white if new / black if old) which is mounted on the drivers side firewall it ran like a top. Connections on the resistor are exposed also, the resistor could be good but connections dirty and would give you the exact same symptom. I think a new one was $7. Hope this helps someone in the future - by the way, I am looking for a battery tray for a 58 ford 292 - anyone know where to find one?Thanks ! Till next time, keep the shiney side up.

 

twin58,
Once you learn a lesson the hard way like that -- its learned for life. I went through the same thing 20+ years ago and its a very easy thing to overlook today with all of the new fangled electronics. Your tale also reminded me that its an easy thing to overlook the basics. I always try and keep in mind that an engine, any engine, needs three basic things to run; fuel, fire, and air (of course it helps to have them all in the right place at the right time)

Welcome to the board. You have stumbled upon a fantastic site full of great people! We are glad to have you. When you get a chance take some pics of your truck and set up a gallery so we can see what you got (we love to ogle other guys trucks!!)

Thanks for the ignition tips
Bobby

 

Excellent reminder, its been so many years since I had a bad one I pretty much forgot that symptom/solution... Thanks!

Welcome!! Looking forward to seeing your truck, check out the gallery feature and post some pics.

Packrat56
56 F-100
66 F-100
73 HD FLH

 

You can likely find the battery box at Dennis Carpenter, LMC Truck or Sacremento Vintage Ford.

 

Bobbytnm / packrat56-thanks for the welcome guys, as soon as I get time I'll add some pictures on the gallery. I've been looking thru the past forums and am excited to find this website. You guys are a wealth of knowledge. Walston - I had checked out DC but not the other two-thanks for the info.