Hi folks new to the forum. Have 1980 F100 with a 4.9L and it turns over but does not fire. Drove it without any problems one got in it the next day and nothing. Could it be the coil? Any ideas would be helpful, most of my mechanic experience is on vintage VWs. Thanks, Bruwick.

 

welcome to the site
first off, you need to know if you are getting spark, fuel and air
what i would do is to spray some starting fluid into air filter snorkle and see if it fires
if it fires, you have a fuel supply problem,clogged fuel filter, bad fuel pump, out of gas
if no, i would take the distributor cab off the distributor, get someone to crank it over and see if the rotor button turns, this is to see if the timeing gears have stripped out on you, if it turns put cap back on.
i would than pull a spark plug wire off a spark plug and have someone crank it over while holding wire close to spark plug, you should hear a snapping sound or you may even feel a shock if you are holding wire bare handed, it wont hurt, but it will scare you if you are not expecting it!
if no spark, i would unplug the control module, it is an alumunum square box about 5x5x1 inches on the drivers side inner fender wheel well, the wires go to the coil, remove the module and take it to autozone or someplace like that, they shoud check the module for free. if it is bad it wont run
if it is good, i would think it would be the coil.
how bout trying that and get back
i am sure someone will be able to help or i will be looking in every now and then
good luck

 

Thanks....I smell gas and I'll check for a spark I'm wonder what the cast might be for a ignition modual? Thanks for the quick response, Bruwick.

 

Just something to save you time, rather than pulling the plug out, and holding it, you can pick up a spark plug tester from harbor freight tools for about $5.00 and you just pull the plug wire, put one end over the plug, and plug your wire into the other end. when cranking, it will light up if it is getting spark. with that, it makes checking spark almost effortless, and you can check all plugs rather quickly. but the old way of just pulling them out works just fine also. post what you come up with

 

they are 22.99 at autozone, but dont buy one till u know its bad, still could be the coil
or a broke wire
and az doesnt have a very good rep for quality ignition modules
i paid around 20 bucks for one at a junkyard because i think if u find the right one,
original ford part and a blue connector where the wires come out of module, they are lots better
just to be safe, i had it tested at az though
carry it in my toolbox in truck just in case

 

Thanks everyone for the advice I'll get to it tomorrow and let you know how it goes.

 

Well I took a look today and I have it running. The valve on the carb was stuck! Time for a new carb... can get a rebuilt one for about $104 is that a good price? It has the stock one on but it REALLY needs a rebuild.

 

Put in a "new" rebuilt carb and it runs like a dream considering its age and mileage. Still idiles a bit rough but I just need to do some adjustments...any ideas ?