Truck died. Troubleshoot, spark issue

[Nold]

1969 f100. 360 v8

Got my truck back from the mechanic after some suspension work. Excited to take it out for a spin pulled out onto the street. Barely got the clutch out and it just died. Turns over but won't start.

Tried starter fluid and gas in the carb, no luck. Put a spark tester on and I'm not getting any spark to the plugs. So this means my coil or distributer? My engine knowledge is nil and I only know what I've read here, and other forums.

My plan is to put in a whole new system https://m.summitracing.com/parts/pnx-d1 ... AjvO8P8HAQ

I've watched a few videos and have the 69 mechanic manual. My question is would this be an afternoon fix, or even something i can tackle.also based off of what I've said, will this fix the issue. Thanks!

[Lee]

Hi,

That new Distributor should work fine and get you on the road, ...... if your coil is good. If you coil is bad then a new Distributor would not be needed.

I take it the Distributor in the truck now is an original Points type? If so,.... replacing the Points and condenser, then setting the gap may get it going.

Do you have a Volt meter? You could check your coil if you do.

R&R'ing a Distributor is something you could probably do yourself. Just remember to first turn the engine over by hand (pry bar and socket on the crank shaft bolt) to put #1 piston to TDC( Top dead center) on the compression stroke. Then pop the distributor cap off and take note of the position of the rotor. It will be pointing to the #1 plug wire terminal.

When you drop the new Distributor in you will want to drop it in with the rotor pointing the same way as the old one.

Once the distributor is in and connected up you start the engine and set the idle timing with a timing light. Remember to first disconnect and plug the Vac line from the Distributor.

Hope some of this helps,
Lee

[cep62]

Because of the helical cut gear on the distributor ,the rotor will turn slightly when you pull it out ,And when you put it back in.
Also it might not set on the oil pump drive , so you will have to turn the engine by hand to get it to drop in.
Also too (two?) dont drop the oil pump drive into the pan, it's rare but it can happen.

[sargentrs]

Replacing the distributor is a couple of hours job, at worst, if everything goes ok and you can definitely do it yourself. If it doesn't go ok, well..... Might want to check a couple of other things first. Do you have power going to and from the starter solenoid. Grab a voltmeter or test light and check for power from the battery to the solenoid. Then with the key in "on" position, check for power coming out of the small "I" terminal on the front of the solenoid and then with the key in the "start" position, check for power at the "S" terminal on the solenoid. If all that checks out, then check for power to the + side of the coil with the key in the "on" position. If that's ok, then check your points (if you still have points) to see if the contacts are burnt, they're opening and closing smoothly, and the wires look ok. Go ahead and replace the condensor, a known problem area, and try to start again. If still no spark to the coil, then you definitely have an ignition issue.

[Nold]

last night I tested the coil. I haven't tried a voltmeter yet, and will this evening. I pulled the plug wire from the coil off the distributer. I held it close to the frame while my friend tried to crank. No spark. I suppose it's the coil then. I will try the voltmeter the is evening and report back.

[Nold]

SHES ALIVE

I popped in a new coil and boom baby.

Took her around the block and no issues to speak of. I would like to replace some of the wires, but not the entire harness, is this achievable?

[sargentrs]

Congrats! Yes, you can splice in new wiring. Just be sure you make a good connection. I like to crimp on uninsulated connectors, solder, and then shrink tube to seal. Sometimes hard to find wiring in a similar color though which makes it difficult down the road for troubleshooting.

[Nold]

The wires to the coil are pretty rough, and have poor conectors. Def going to replace those. There are some weird wires connected to the battery. Given a picture, could you help identify them? Looks like they run up through the firewall.

[sargentrs]

Post some pics and we can try to identify what you have, if it's original. If the PO modified stuff it's anybody's guess.

[Nold]

Doesn't look orginal, but I have no idea. I'll post a picture or two when I get home this afternoon.