No Spark - Ford Pickup

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jcage@lycos.com - 20 Apr 2008 20:38 GMT

I have a 1977 manual transmission ford pickup V8 that ran when I
parked it last fall but had a curious problem going on then. Until it
was warmed up (while idling or going down the road), the engine would
occasionally die. It would immediately restart and continue on until
it was well warmed up and then seemed to run okay. I thought it might
be a choke problem but the choke appeared to be okay anytime I
visually inspected it. I also changed the fuel filter but never have
run a fuel pressure test on the pump to date.

It hasn't run all winter and when I tried to start it the other day,
it wouldn't start - cranked great, just no fire. Since it didn't have
any spark as I turned it over with a near grounded spark plug wire but
did have power at the + side of the coil when the key was on (as shown
on my test light), I replaced the coil hoping that might explain the
intermittent problem I'd been having last year and correct the no
starting problem. After changing the coil, I still no spark as I look
for an ark with a plug wire near ground and the engine cranking so am
wondering if something is wrong in the ignition module. I'd hoped to
just find points and a condenser but not so, so my search continues.

Does anyone know how to check that module without having to throw some
big bucks into a module replacement on this year of ford?

thanks very much for any help,
John

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Kruse - 20 Apr 2008 20:59 GMT

> I have a 1977 manual transmission ford pickup V8 that ran when I
> parked it

You said you have no spark, but are you SURE you have fuel? Take the
air cleaner off and when you move the
linkage back and forth (with the engine not running, obviously) a few
times, it should be squirting fuel down the carb. Make sure that it
does.
Are you sure that a mouse/squirrel/rat hasn't chewed on your wiring
under the hood? Inspect carefully. Use a $5 test light to trouble
shoot if you have primary voltage where it should be. Google the
subject to get some test areas.
Back in the mid-70s, Ford ignition modules failed quite regularly. Buy
the cheapest replacement one that you can find and plug it in to see
if your engine starts. If it does, buy a NAME BRAND one from a
reputable source and put the cheap one in your glove box as a spare. I
haven't see the inside of one of these for 20 years, but the
difference between a good one and a cheap one is like night and day.
Your module might be the one where the parts man/woman asks what color
the plastic square tab is on the module. Look on the back side to see
the color. By '77 it's probably blue or yellow or it could be a double
yellow also. If you truck is stock, it will be an aluminum cased
module that probably bolts to the fenderwell. The heads of these bolts
are accessible from the underside. Good luck.

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aarcuda69062 - 20 Apr 2008 21:04 GMT

In article
<4c175107-abd9-4eab-b659-328713f54a2f@m3g2000hsc.googlegroups.com>,

> I have a 1977 manual transmission ford pickup V8 that ran when I
> parked it last fall but had a curious problem going on then. Until it
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> thanks very much for any help,
> John

Check the module ground.
The module ground is the black wire that runs from the module to the
distributor (one of three wires inside the distributor) it terminates at
a screw inside the distributor. Make sure the contact at the screw is
good, also make sure the contact between the distributor and the engine
block is good, meaning, take the distributor out and wire brush
everything clean.

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benteaches@gmail.com - 21 Apr 2008 16:57 GMT

> Does anyone know how to check that module without having to throw some
> big bucks into a module replacement on this year of ford?
>
> thanks very much for any help,
> John

Is your distributer turning?
Put a test light from battery positive to the negative side of the
coil and crank the engine, it should blink.
If not, replace the module *and* pickup.
HTH,
Ben

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