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Author Topic: Engine just lost spark!  (Read 2138 times)

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Offline onebadcaballero

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Engine just lost spark!
« on: October 04, 2015, 07:45:54 PM »
Hey guys. I have a 76 pony mpg. I just rebuilt/hopped up the tired 2.3. I got the motor in and everything, fired it up and did the 20 minute break in from 2000-3000 rpm. Seemed to be running great. Then I had to go to the parts store to get oil and a filter. So I come back change the oil and go to start it back up and nothing. Motor just turns over. Carb is a brand new webber 32/36 and it is getting fuel and the needle is functioning.

Doesn't even try to start, no backfire, nothing. My buddy thinks something in the ignition got hot and quit working but I can't be sure till I try to crank it tomorrow. I'm not to familiar with with the ford ignition systems. Where should I start and what could cause this?

Offline pinto_one

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Re: Engine just lost spark!
« Reply #1 on: October 05, 2015, 09:31:54 AM »
the ford ign systems are kind of simple but reliable , one since you had the engine out I would check the plug ends to the distributor , make sure no broken wires , next you could have a bad ign module , see if its a ford unit or an after market , and is anything leaking out of the back of it, early ford modules had a few problems back when a few venders stuck cheep parts in them , 75 to 76 , changed quite a few when I worked at the dealer , when they got hot they stopped , cooled down they would work again , so if yours cranks again when cooled its the module , they had a tab in the corner of the module where the wire came out , they were different colors , the brown ones were the bad ones , blue were the newer ones  , (I think ) I could have it backwards ,been so many years ago , I have a TFI on mine so no module ,hope this helps ;)
76 Pinto sedan V6 , 79 pinto cruiser wagon V6 soon to be diesel or 4.0

Offline onebadcaballero

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Re: Engine just lost spark!
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2015, 12:22:35 PM »
So I went back today and checked all the connections. Everything looked okay. Sure enough it started right up when it was cold. So as you suggested it's probably the ignition control module. Made in China. Thinking about replacing it with and hei module or msd box any suggestions or should I just go stock?
The motor has about 10:1 compression, shorty ranger header, full 2.25" exhaust no cat, underdrive pulley, cam has 282 seat duration, 220 duration @ 0.050 cam, 0.450 lift , electric fan, weber 32/36.

Offline 76hotrodpinto

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Re: Engine just lost spark!
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2015, 01:44:01 PM »
I'd still try to get it to not spark again, and check everything before investing in the hei or msd. Not that you shouldn't put one in anyways, I certainly would, but be certain of the issue before you just start throwing more money at it.
1976 half hatch 2.3 turbo w/t5.

Offline pinto_one

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Re: Engine just lost spark!
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2015, 02:33:13 PM »
Stock ones are good, if you buy a new one make sure it is NOT made in china , or run to your local pull it and grab one off a wrecked car ,(it ran well enough to get into an accident ) should be all you need , trucks and most ford cars used them up until EFI came along so inter change should not be a problem , but you can run to a napa parts house and ask what elese does yours fit , good to know if your out on the road .
76 Pinto sedan V6 , 79 pinto cruiser wagon V6 soon to be diesel or 4.0

Offline onebadcaballero

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Re: Engine just lost spark!
« Reply #5 on: October 08, 2015, 02:27:46 PM »
I just ordered a brand new motorcraft control module. I couldn't get the motor to run long enough to get it to repeat losing spark (unfortunately my rusty tank clogged my carb for the second time since I've rebuilt this motor). I didn't post this earlier but I did replace the distributor before I rebuilt the engine since the original had a blown vacuum diaphragm and the mechanical advance was very sloppy. I'm thinking about replacing the coil too, just to have a completely new ignition system. Gonna drop the tank this weekend and clean it out. I went ahead and bought a earls performance fuel filter that's suppose to filter down to 35 microns to compliment the cleaned up tank combined with a cheapy paper filter before the pump. Will get back with an update

Offline onebadcaballero

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Re: Engine just lost spark!
« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2015, 08:28:05 PM »
Sorry it's been a while guys. So good news... the old control module must've been going bad because the new one has no problems at all providing spark when warm. Also the good quality fuel filter along with the the cleaned tank seemed to remedy having to clean the carb out every time I start it. I was finally able to take it around the block with the new motor, of course since the motor hasn't been fully broken in I was taking it easy but couldn't help myself and got the tail end out once.  New motor has a ton more power and it's not knocking... guess I didn't put the motor together completely bass ackwards.

Of course now there's another problem. The alternators not charging. I was planning on replacing it but now I have to. Gonna go ahead and put a new voltage reg on it just to be safe as well. I'll post a video of it as soon as I get the charging system in order!

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: Engine just lost spark!
« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2015, 10:13:03 PM »
Glad to hear you got it running..
Art
65 Falcon 2DR 200 IL6 with C4.

Offline onebadcaballero

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Re: Engine just lost spark!
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2015, 02:57:00 PM »
Here's a video of how she runs. Had to set the idle a little high to get the alternator to charge since it has an underdrive pulley on the crank. Obviously still have to organize some wiring... and other stuff...

https://www.facebook.com/jivemother/videos/vb.100001091382293/978192748893762/?type=2&theater&notif_t=video_processed

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: Engine just lost spark!
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2015, 08:40:03 PM »
Looks and sounds good..
Art
65 Falcon 2DR 200 IL6 with C4.