Wont run

Asked by GuruKKP79 Jan 15, 2020 at 01:55 AM about the 1987 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat Standard Cab SB

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

87 F150 with 302 EFI single coil ignition system.. reliable vehicle turn it off a
few hours later went to it and crank but no start I am a mechanic with 10 years
experience and IV got up with a well-respected veteran mechanic over this
issue we are stumped.   I replace the ignition coil and the distributor since we
have got it to crank very hard to get it to crank and bucks and it jumps and
backfires like mad out the pipe it did idle for a second or two once or twice but
will not stay running. Would only start after turning over a lot and opening
throttle all the way backfires and runs really aggressive at idle and throttling
thought catalytic converter what's plug took off exhaust system at the headers
same issue.. double check the distributor timing is perfect map air sensor is
good coil new distributor new plugs good ignition module good good battery
Good Grounds where ground should be good relays good fuses..   never had
this issue truck ran smooth before I turned it off then tried to restart and had
this issue I didn't bump pool on or touch any wires besides replacing coil
distributor and plugs and troubleshooting coil voltage and spark plug Spark..
weak spark at the plugs but this vehicle has always had this problem.  I have
good gas pressure at the rail good gas filter and air cleaner.  Has any one seen
or had this problem or hear of it and could point me in the right direction?

3 Answers

157,475

Check to see if the timing chain has jumped a couple of teeth or failed.

1 people found this helpful.
Best Answer Mark helpful

Yea I was thinking the same thing but seeing how it ran so good an i never romped on it just turned off and now this but very possible with the semtems but before I got it to crank the last time when I tried the new coil plugs and distributor the crank read tdc as #1 was at peak or 0. Dang shur could be now tho since all the bucking and real aggressive two minutes of running trying to hear or put my hand on the problem. It did idle nice an low a few times tho. I will be checking the lineup agein when go out to it hear in a minute. Hope not dude cus u know what that would mean.lol I definitely am not gonna make it run like that agein or that willie a shur thing if not already.

It didn't jump timing gears and chain are up to spec still. Since mechanically everything is fine I'm now in the process of removing the whole dash for inspecting and troubleshooting of course I will be splitting the whole harness while inspecting it because im stumped for shur and every one I talk to is aswell.

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