I have a 64 ford truck that starts idles runs good. then sometimes it will start a bad hesitation similar to what it feels like to start off in to high a gear. Then at some point it will start and run

Asked by sheilabee1 Dec 28, 2013 at 10:02 AM about the Ford F-150

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

What can cause this? May run good for a day or two or a few minutes. It will continue to idle or restart. It can sit for a bit and often start up and run good only at some point to start the extreme hesitation. How can I repair before losing my job.

5 Answers

199,735

How longs since you have replaced plug wires and distr cap? Does it seem to happen more often on damp nights or rainy days? Sounds like you could be jumping spark. If it starts acting up like this one night open hood and look around the plug wires and dist cap for spark jump(will only be able to see it in the dark, don't shine any lights under hood while looking). If that's the problem you will be able to see blue sparks coming from either the plug wires or dist cap. Does it still have points style ign? If so look into changing it over to electronic. Most can be changed over for about forty dollars or so.

73,310

Most of these older engines are rather simple to repair because quite frankly there is no computer garbage adjusting everything. Your problem is electrical. Start with a basic tuneup, plugs, points, distributor cap, rotor, and condenser. If I hade to guess, I'd suspect a cracked distributor crap.

695

If it does this after the motor heats up, the also look to replace the coil. As the coil heats up due to engine heat, it will expand, if there is an issue with the coil this is when it will normally show up Do the other checks first.as dandyyon said. Just start the truck at night, open the hood and let it warm up. Look around all the plug wires, along the entire route If you see sparks or glowing , you need wires, If you need wires, you probably need to go ahead and replace the plugs and points too

73,310

Thanks for the walk down memory lane. Oh the thought of my powder blue 64 Falcon. Go ahead and change everything electrical including the coil. It'll be fun and relatively inexpensive.

Your Answer:

F-150

Looking for a Used F-150 in your area?

CarGurus has 13,355 nationwide F-150 listings starting at $3,000.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    OJ
    Reputation
    41,830
  • #2
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    15,990
  • #3
    Rowefast
    Reputation
    15,470
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
198 Great Deals out of 8,239 listings starting at $6,995
Used GMC Sierra 1500
154 Great Deals out of 8,348 listings starting at $5,975
Used RAM 1500
495 Great Deals out of 20,553 listings starting at $117
Used Toyota Tundra
35 Great Deals out of 987 listings starting at $10,698
Used Ford F-250 Super Duty
29 Great Deals out of 774 listings starting at $4,290
Used Toyota Tacoma
31 Great Deals out of 724 listings starting at $9,975
Used Dodge RAM 1500
95 listings starting at $9,594
Used Ford F-250
7 listings
Used Ford Mustang
57 Great Deals out of 1,668 listings starting at $5,977
Used Ford Ranger
16 Great Deals out of 639 listings starting at $8,999
Used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
29 Great Deals out of 1,716 listings starting at $12,995
Used Toyota 4Runner
25 Great Deals out of 528 listings starting at $7,990
Used Jeep Wrangler
132 Great Deals out of 5,983 listings starting at $8,990
Used RAM 2500
52 Great Deals out of 2,508 listings starting at $15,500
Used Ford Explorer
70 Great Deals out of 2,022 listings starting at $3,333

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.