I have been driving my '65 F-100 240 for over 5 years and have had a minimum amount of concerns - just the normal problems you would expect. Have put about 25,000 miles on it and love it.

Several times in recent months the engine has died on me and it's been impossible to restart with the key. System is completely dead.

It always (and only) happens when the engine is hot. Over the past weekend, I had driven almost fifty miles, pulled up to a traffic light and the engine died - almost as if it wasn't getting gas. I tried and tried but nothing - not even a clicking sound.

I was in heavy traffic and fortunately on an incline so I just backed up, popped the clutch and it sprang to life.

Other than this probem, the vehicle runs great; starts easy, good highwway travel and mileage but I'm stumped.

My question: Is this electrical or fuel connected and do I have two problems? Where should I start? Could it be a fuel pump, a loose ground, points, rotor or distributor cap? As I said no other problems expect when its hot.

Would appreciate any feedback.

Many thanks,

A Ford Guy

 

Guy: Got some clarification questions for you:

>Several times in recent months the engine has died on me and
>it's been impossible to restart with the key. System is
>completely dead.
1. Does it turn over?
a. If not, then you have a major electrical problem. Check your batttery connections for tightness and corrosion, all your connections under the firewall and in the dash for cleanliness and tightness, and all your grounds for good connections. One possibility: Try another battery, if you have a spare. Occasionally, the electrode from either post can break inside the battery, and you'll never see it. The fact you can pop the clutch and get going again hints at this possibility.
b. If it does turn over but not start, you have an ignition electrical problem or a fuel problem. Electrical: Check and or change your distributor capacitor (condenser), coil and resistor. Make sure all connections are clean and tight. Fuel: Check and or change your fuel filters, all of them. Check the fuel sock in the tank, but save that for desperation's sake. Check the inside of the carb bowl for crud. Check your fuel line clamps between the tank and the pump for a loose one; it might cause the pump to suck air. Check your fuel pump pressure.


>It always (and only) happens when the engine is hot. Over
>the past weekend, I had driven almost fifty miles, pulled up
>to a traffic light and the engine died - almost as if it
>wasn't getting gas. I tried and tried but nothing - not even
>a clicking sound.
2. Is this the same as above? Or can you sometimes get it to turn over, but not start, and other times you can't get it to turn over at all?

3. Engine stoppages caused by electrical problems makes the engine just die, not sputter to death, - and sometimes then restart. Whereas fuel starvation makes it run more and more poorly until it just poops out. Sorta like the saying "he just ran out of gas." Try turning your key off when you're moving down the road, and you'll get the idea. Then, try turning the key on and off a little and you'll feel the difference between electrical and fuel failures.

I sure hope this helps. These kind of problems can be very distressing and hard to find! Good luck!

 

change coil ok

 

Do some electrical test...

I didn't have power at my ignition NOTHING NOT EVEN A CLICK... My switch was bad, and when i connected the new one up. the connection wasn't tight...

Read my post below "No power at the ignition" and try those test!!!

Good luck

 

 

Hello , sounds to me like a classic case of vapor lock.Vapor lock was common decades ago.This is what happens.The fuel line usaully metal gets hot and the gasoline inside vaporizes causing a vapor blockage in the fueline hence vapor lock.The remedy is to keep the fuel line from getting hot. You can insulate it with a rubber line,reroute it so it is not in close contact with the hot engine block or use a bigger size or do all 3.Other things it could be from most likely to least likely. Trash in fuel,fuel pump going bad,water in fuel"pour in some rubbing alkahol it will mix with water and burn",bad gas cap sealing too tight and not letting tank vent and last but not least a mean trick to play on someone was to place a marble in the gas tank. The action of the fuel pump would cause the marble to settle on the tank outlet shutting of the gas.When the vehicle was moved the marble rolled off starting the process over again. This would cause the owner to replace every component on the engine. The end result was insanity.A rock, chunk of rust,piece of rubber or any number of forien objects could be in your tank.When I was 3 I filled my uncle's Landcruiser tank full of dried corn,yes corn.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 23-Nov-02 AT 02:12 AM (EST)] I halfway read your post, its late. The electrical problem could be your starter sylenoid my 50 coupe did the same thing you describe. When the engine compartment got hot the sylenoid would heat up and cause the car to go dead just like you turned it off.I would push the starter button, nothing.I was stranded far from home so I poured some cold water on it not the smartest thing to do but it cooled it off enough for me to crank it and get home.Replace the coil and sylenoid and your problems will be over I garuntee it.Hey I slept at a Holiday Inn last night.