Hey everybody, this is my first post so I hope that I get my question right. I stopped the other day and filled up my 66 f100 and it has not fired since. It has a 390 in with about 15k milies on it. I replaced the coil, condenser, points, and distributor cap. I am getting fuel through and I have spark out of my plugs. It's only a red spark though, I'm told it should be blue. I have no idea what to do from this point
Thanks for any help.

 

check the fire comming from coil is it blue or red
fire should be blue
is it correct coil?
are you getting 12v to coil while starting?

 

First and foremost, welcome to FTE, warehouse of knowledgeable and helpful members.

If the truck has been setting for any length of time it's can be difficult tracing the problem. Sounds like you are getting spark, I am incline to suspect the problem may be with the fuel system. In simular circumstances I resort to the 'back to square 1 approach' by doing a 'quick check' tune up, takes no more than 5 min's. I purchased a cheap Harbor Freight inline spark plug tester; 1 end connects to the plug and the other to the plug wire. The other tool is a remote start button; has 24" leads 1 connects to starter and the other to the batter relay, then able to conduct quick check from under the hood in a matter of minues. Once I connect the inline tester up, hit the start button and as soon as the test light comes on I pull the cap and check the postion of the rotor. Next is the point gap, then timing by checking pointer on block to degree marks on harmonic balancer. If I have not detected a problem to this point I would move to the fuel system and disconnect the fuel line from the carburator inlet. Have a container available for any discharged fuel, hit start button and see if there is sufficient flow. Once the truck is running I go back and fine tune. First item on shopping list would be an inline, or cannister fuel filter. Purchased a summit canaster filter and mounted on drivers side inner fender, amazed how much gunk it filters out between replacements.

 

Hey thanks for the replies and the welcome.
the spark from the coil is blue, fairly comfortable that coil is correct. i drove the truck four days a week to work, 12 miles, before she gave up. I have disconnected the fuel line and the flow is fine. borrowed my neighbors inline plug tester and he says they check out well enough. i also pulled the distributor out to see the gears and they looked great. what would the chances be that she jumped time. would there have been indications, or would there still be fire.
thanks again

 

Welcome to FTE

If the truck has an original style fuel pump, it prolly has a cartridge type fuel filter there.

This filter (as most of y'all should know by now (new member excepted)...considering how many dozens of times I typed this same info), fits into a tomato juiced sized can that screws to the pump.

It rarely gets changed, because most peeps have no klew it's there.

C4AZ9365B .. Cartridge Fuel Filter (Motorcraft FG1A)

 

Check to ensure batt. fully charged, the post and cable connections clean and secure. Recently rec'd weekly Hemmings newsletter noting starting problems common with batt. cables in poor condition, or post on batt. and connections thru charging sys. not clean and secure. If recall, charging sys. should be putting out between 13.5 and 14.5 volts w/ no load.

If battery is fully charged and getting a good spark, engine is cranking at a good speed, then it would seem to me the problem is more likely in the fuel system, possibly fuel pump. Try pumping the throttle and look for fuel squirting into the carburetor throat. No fuel, possible caused to a bad fuel pump, or stuck needle valve in the carbuaretor, a plugged fuel line or filter. Sorry, should have mentioned checking fuel in carb. throat first, disconnecting line at pump doe not necessarily mean fuel is getting into the carb. Also issue of getting too much fuel, have a 65 with 390ci and occasionally found the beast difficult to start, particularly on a cold wintery morning, usually ended up flooding it.

There is also the possibility that the fuel in the tank may be heavily contaminated with water or overloaded with alcohol. If the tank was just filled, bad gas might be causing the problem. If attempts have been unsuccessful, allow engine to set for a period of time in event engine flooded, and try pouring perhaps an ounce or less of fresh gas into carb and see if engine attempts to run, if so, then you have isolated to fuel sys.

Sorry, kinda a 'hands on' back yard mechanic who finds it difficult making a diag. without getting his hands dirty. Hopefully other members can provide more helpful advise. Also, might want to post question in the 'electrical' or 'fuel sys.' forum.