1971 Ford F-100 Warm engine cranking

1971 FORD F-100
87,500 MILES • V8 • 2WD • MANUAL
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JBLJOHN
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1971 Ford F-100 with 302 V-8 and 87,500 miles (bought new by my father in law in 1971).

When engine is cold the truck cranks immediately.

After driving and engine is warm and the engine is shut off for 15 - 20 minutes, the engine may or may not restart. When it will not start, I can crank by holding accelerator petal to the floor and cranking as if the vehicle is flooded, but there is no smell of gas.

Car has been to the shop twice and I'm advised this is not a carburator problem

Help Please!
Jun 20, 2010 at 11:11 AM
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RASMATAZ
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Hi jbljohn, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation

Car has been to the shop twice and I'm advised this is not a carburator problem

Do this open the choke plate -pull the throttle back do you see gas squirting into the throttle bore? Also is this a conventional or electronic ignition system-let me know asap
Jun 21, 2010 at 3:17 AM
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JBLJOHN
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Conventional (points, condenser) ignition. Fuel to carburator OK.
Jun 21, 2010 at 5:52 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Inspect the contact point gap if in specs use a dwell meter and adjust the angle and readjust the ignition timing
Jun 21, 2010 at 7:51 PM
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JBLJOHN
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Gaps within specs and timing already adjusted.

If this was the problem, wouldn't engine be difficult to start when "cold" also?

Next idea please.
Jun 22, 2010 at 6:40 AM
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RASMATAZ
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When it will not start, I can crank by holding accelerator petal to the floor and cranking as if the vehicle is flooded, but there is no smell of gas.

Ans. Doing this will clear a flooded engine even if the choke is closed you should smell gas-Check the fuel pressure to rule the fuel pump and for clogged fuel lines. Also check the the float needle valve if its opening to include the inline fuel filter

Check the resistance wire from coil to the ignition switch and also the ignition switch itself Or do this run a wire from the battery positive post to the coil positive terminal and see what happens.
Jun 22, 2010 at 2:09 PM
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JBLJOHN
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New automatic choke installed previously to address this problem - did not solve problem.

What am I looking for when I connect positive from battery to positive on the coil?
Jun 22, 2010 at 2:44 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Doing this will bypass the ignition switch-try this and see if it will fire up without waiting if it works could be the wire or the switch itself
Jun 22, 2010 at 2:47 PM
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JBLJOHN
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Just to be clear. My problem is that after driving (engine hot) the engine will not start after sitting 15-20 minutes. The engine will always turn over, it just will not start.

Can it be an ignition problem if the engine always turns over?
Jun 22, 2010 at 4:39 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Don't wait for nothing-turn key on and check for power at the coil positive this will confirm if your ignition switch is failing-you sure its not vapor locking
Jun 22, 2010 at 4:42 PM
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RASMATAZ
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I use to have the same year/model w/a 302 on it came out to be the ignition switch
Jun 22, 2010 at 4:43 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Test the coil could be heating up when it cools down it fires right back up
Jun 22, 2010 at 4:46 PM
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JBLJOHN
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I have been told by a mechanic that it is not vapor locking. Is there a test for vapor locks?
Jun 22, 2010 at 5:32 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Your mechanic should be able to do this test-also I need some results on the coil-this vehicle configuration is so simple not like the computerized vehicles in today's technology-You need to do everything I've suggested so I can knock this problem out
Jun 22, 2010 at 5:37 PM
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