So first id like to say hello to everyone on the board as this is my first post.

I have a 66 f100 with a 390 4 on the floor with a granny low and 4:10 gears in the rear. picked it up about a month and a half ago for $800

Now on to my problem the other day i get home from work hop in the truck and head over to kragen to get some oil because the truck is leaking oil (looks like its out of the oil pan gasket) so i get to kragen buy some stuff and hop back in the truck. I put it in reverse backed out of my parking space and when i put it in gear the truck died. i tried starting it for a while but it would die every time i put it in gear then eventually turning the key wouldnt do anything. I removed the ignition switch from the dash and started jiggeling it around a little and the truck would start to crank and die depending on how i moved the switch. so i bought a new ignition switch and installed it. I tried starting the truck. the truck started but then died right away. Then trning the key would do nothing again. I recently replaced the starter solinoid but i decided to test it so i bypassed the solinoid with a piece of wire and the truck cranks but will not start. Anyone have any thoughts as to what the problem could be?

 

Points maybe, have you checked them? They need to open, and until you can get a proper gauge a match book cover can be used to set them.


John

 

I just picked up a feeler gauge. I replaced the points but haft set the proper gap yet so I'll try that and see if it works.

 

jsut a thought , is it getting gas. sounds like your filter is plugged and letting just enough gas through to get it started but not enough to let it run. fuel pump coulda died also. Dutch

 

I smell gas from the carb when the truck cranks also wouldn't it atleast crank when I turn the ignition? Right now ever once and a while the ignition will crank the truck but for the most part turning the key does nothing and the ignition switch and starter solinoid are new

 

I smell gas from the carb when the truck cranks also wouldn't it atleast crank when I turn the ignition? Right now ever once and a while the ignition will crank the truck but for the most part turning the key does nothing and the ignition switch and starter solinoid are new

 

If the battery is charged, and you have a new solenoid and starter it should at least turn over. Could be something wrong with the ignition circuit. Try running a jumper wire from the "I" terminal on the solenoid to the + side of the coil. With a screwdriver, bridge the large terminal on the front side of the solenoid and the "S" terminal on the solenoid. If it starts, you know the problem is in the ignition circuit somewhere.

 

Ok jumped the wires and the truck starts and runs so looks like it's a wiring issue I guess maybe a connection came loose or something

 

Did you fiddle with the points at all???? It doesn't take much.

I have had my truck to just shut down, readjust the points and it fire back up. I don't run points any longer.


John

 

by. The time I got home it was dark so I only tried jumping those wires. The truck fired right up and stayed on didn't die or anything. I'm going to properly gap the points today when I get home and if that dosnt fix it I'll start looking for shorts or loos wiring in the ignition circuit.

 

So we've narrowed it down to the ignition circuit. Check for loose connections, but odds are it's the ignition switch.

 

If I have not already done so, Welcome to FTE, warehouse of knowledge and helpful members.

After checking wire harness and connections, if have not already done so, suggest a basic tune up; points, condensor, plugs, dizzy cap, rotor, relatively cheap and can eliminate from list of possible problems. Most importantly install a fuel filter as soon as possible. Installed a canister type on inner fender of 65 but any type filter will work. Purchased a cheap inline spark tester and remote start button from HF and able to perform a quick trouble shoot from under the hood.

Mentioned replacing the 'starter solinoid', curious if meant 'starter relay', sets on the passenger side inner fender, if connections and circuits look good, perhaps relay is defective, perhaps more knowledgeable member can advise. Finally, IMHO a wiring diag. manual, cost around $7.00 is a damn good investment, found it very helpful in tracing circuits and rewiring my 65.

Again, welcome to FTE.