Aarrgh! Ran ok yesterday....no spark today!

[Dan B.]

Went to get out the 358W Ranger the other day and it would not start. It turns over but will not fire...and it's not water in the fuel cell like before. Pulled a plug and it appears to have no spark. So I checked the usuals...swapped out the coil and duraspark box...still nothing. There is power to the coil. Set up is very basic...1985 (formerly 2.8L, auto) w/ carbed 358W.

Ideas??

 

[red85]

How is the wiring at the distributor? Is it full of 'green cheese'?

 

[Dan B.]

Everything is clean. Gonna swap distributors...then if nothing it's going to a local wiring geek for diagnosis.

 

[D'cheat]

Sounds like you need to install a good stand alone ignition system. Summit Racing currently has Mallory 6AL ignition kits with distributer, coil, ignition box, wires and hardware for $480. Hook the ignition box to 12v's and your good to go. Its what I use.

Christ, sounds like I was paid to say that. * wish I was *

Your issue can be in a number of areas. Get yourself a voltage light and start checking connections. You may have blown a fuseable link, or a wire may have just come loose.

Good luck man. Hunting wires is a pain...

 

[Dan B.]

Sounds like you need to install a good stand alone ignition system. Summit Racing currently has Mallory 6AL ignition kits with distributer, coil, ignition box, wires and hardware for $480. Hook the ignition box to 12v's and your good to go.

That's the plan...but wanted to find the demon before I go spending cash. Was going to get MSD but that price on the Mallory is pretty good.

 

[projectnitemare]

Yes get an aftermarket ignition. I too figured the duraspark was good enough for what I was doing but it left me stranded a few times with no spark issues. Once was the box itself another time it was a goof on my part by using a junkyard duraspark harness. After i went with my MSD I've had zero ignition problems.

Matt

 

[red85]

If you are inclined, you can always put together a Chevy HEI ignition with a Chev 4 pin module, a Ford E core coil and a DuraSpark distributor. I did mine this way and I've zero ignition trouble since swapping it in. On top of all that, it can be built far cheaper than what you'd put out for a Mallory or MSD setup.

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

i just installed a procomp set up,its a copy of mallory.$160 from ebay.some people say their junk some lovem.mine fired right right up.
comes with coil,dist and cap.

 

[red85]

i just installed a procomp set up,its a copy of mallory.$160 from ebay.some people say their junk some lovem.mine fired right right up.
comes with coil,dist and cap.

A good buddy (88Rangerv8) of mine has one of those. He loves it. One wire to hook up and she fired right up. I still rub it in that I built mine for for the cost of the module ($50 CDN).

 

[v-8power]

i just installed a procomp set up,its a copy of mallory.$160 from ebay.some people say their junk some lovem.mine fired right right up.
comes with coil,dist and cap.

Sorry to jack the thread but i just bought one for my 351W for 68.75. The only
downside is, it did'nt come with a coil.

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

ive seen a little cheeper myself..........shipping was over $20........but was quick.sent the wong cap first but made up for it pdq.
you got a great deal!

 

[v-8power]

DanB,
When you go to install those headers you might need to get a starter from a 1990
F-150 2WD with AOD. That's the one i used.
Just a heads up.