My 97 F250 Ford, 460 cubic inch engine (gasoline) is hard to start after setting as much as two hours?

Asked by brmccormick Sep 28, 2016 at 03:28 PM about the 1997 Ford F-250 2 Dr XLT 4WD Extended Cab LB HD

Question type: General

Plugs, wires, dist. cap were changed.  These were all done once the problem
started.  Since started having problems starting even in hot weather 90
degrees or better when not started after 2 hours or more.  Runs perfect the
instant it starts even under load.  The fuel pump has been tested for volume
and pressure and holding pressure overnight.  Also has a new fuel filter.

7 Answers

58,955

Hard to start but the battery & starter are working fine in other words its not a slow engine spin issue.

No, it is not a spin issue. Engine spins rapidly. Engine seems to try to start. It hits and misses. Will only start the instant you let off the starter. We have owned this vehicle for many years, and it always started easily until recently. We have spent $975.00 to correct this problem, but we still have the problem.

1,110

Does it matter how long you crank it...it will start when you let off the starter?? could be faulty ignition start switch(column mount), it is almost impossible to flood a 460. Take the high tension wire(coil wire to distributor) and place it close to engine block or body and have somebody crank it over while you watch for spark. If no spark while cranking and then spark as they stop cranking, there be the problem. I have seen many distributor pickup coils work great when cold and not at all when warm. Perhaps replacing the hall effect pickup unit will help. Part inside distributor.

2 people found this helpful.
1,110

Check ECM for codes also. Try holding throttle wide open as you crank as this enters flood clear mode on some vehicles. Try spraying some starting fluid into intake immediately after a no start and then crank. If it starts with ether then you got a fuel problem.

1 people found this helpful.
58,955

Pick up module, sometimes when they are going out work fine when cold then after warm up about 30 minutes later they stop working then after cooling down they work again, not sure if this model has it or if it can be replaced without removing the distributor, some can be replaced with the distributor mounted. this thread is older but may help someone else, I missed the replay from brmccormick somehow. Bad frame to engine grounds need checked out too. Timing too. If they got it fixed let us know how you made out.

2 people found this helpful.

No I have already replact evey thing even computer iv put two grand and still won't fire

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