Someone didnt want me to have this truck

[powerstoke64]

Well guys I know I have been a bit annoying lately with me being new here and my turn signal problems. Anyway Ive got a bigger issue now. I was cruising down the road my truck just shut off on me and it won't start up. I thought maybe I ran out of gas some how so I put more in it and it still don't start up. By the way the truck is a 1979 f150 with a 351M in it. I did notice however the last few start ups prior to this it seemed like I had to crank a little more for it to fire up. So now needless to say my truck is stranded along the road. So any help on where I should start looking id be very appreciative thanks.

 

[DNFXDLI]

You need to check for spark....it might be the ignition module. Check things in a methodical fashion.

 

[Sparky83]

yup.. sparks the first place id check too... especially if your not getting a strong fuel smell from repeated cranks and no start...

 

[Big Jim F150]

Check your ignition control module, coil plug wires and plugs, distributor cap, rotor, and also the pickup wheel is the distributor, and also the fuel filter and fuel pump.. Take the lid off your air filter and remove your air filter housing and look down the throat of your carburetor and flick your throttle linkage and if you're getting a good strong stream of fuel then your fuel is ok and that's not the issue, and then methodically go through the ignition system.

 

[powerstoke64]

After all day I got her running. I replaced the ignition module, pickup coil in the distributor and then finally the ignition coil on top of the engine. Now it starts up ones you touch the key.

 

[Big Jim F150]

Good job!! Glad to hear that you got that bad boy running, sounded like you just had some ignition issues, and got em resolved. Did you also replace your spark plugs and fuel filter? I also recommend changing you fuel filter, and that's part of a GOOD tune up

 

[BigNate]

A bit late but grounds can get corroded and cause similar issues with the ignition system. Mine was missing a ground from engine and I had intermittent ignition issues. Hard to trace when it won't stay. Anyway, I wound up with some new components after frying the ignition module.

I was taught to troubleshoot simple/cheap toward complex/expensive.