Guy Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 I preface this with full disclosure that I'm a novice to cars, in general. I recently purchased a 1982 F-150 second hand, and it was running. I drove it home about 35miles on city streets even go her up to 70mph. I stopped to put some gas in it but kept it running. I completely gutted it and cleaned it out. I wanted to clean all the dust off the engine, so I bought some degreaser (Gunk). I regret the heck out of that decision. Ever since then, I haven't been able to get the truck to turn on. I ended up doing the following to help the situation or so I thought: New Spark Plugs + Wires, New Battery, and New Distributor Cap + Rotor. I ended up installing all of that with help from a buddy, and it still wouldn't turn over. I then went to AutoZone for some advice, and I bought some Pyroil Starter Fluid to see if it was a spark issue or if gas was the issue. I'm kinda thinking it may be a fuel filter or fuel line issue, but like I said I'm a novice and just guessing at this point. Also, I don't get how it would be a gas issue if I drove all the way home??? Anyone out there think they know or have any advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramttocs Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 Welcome! What exactly is it doing right now when you turn the key? You say it won't turn over? Does it click? Do you have power to the rest of the cab? Headlights, interior lights, etc. Can you take a picture of the fender mounted relay? Will be located near the battery (mounted on the fender). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 Welcome! What exactly is it doing right now when you turn the key? You say it won't turn over? Does it click? Do you have power to the rest of the cab? Headlights, interior lights, etc. Can you take a picture of the fender mounted relay? Will be located near the battery (mounted on the fender). Yes, welcome! I'm confident we can get you going, but Scott/kramttoc's questions are good ones. An issue we find is that some people say it won't "turn over" and they mean the engine won't even spin when they turn the key to Start. Others mean it spins but won't fire. So we need to be precise, and that's why he's asking questions. By the way, where's home? We have a map (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map in the menu) and could add you with a city or zip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpin Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 Yes, welcome! I'm confident we can get you going, but Scott/kramttoc's questions are good ones. An issue we find is that some people say it won't "turn over" and they mean the engine won't even spin when they turn the key to Start. Others mean it spins but won't fire. So we need to be precise, and that's why he's asking questions. By the way, where's home? We have a map (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map in the menu) and could add you with a city or zip. Welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Posted October 12, 2020 Author Share Posted October 12, 2020 Welcome! What exactly is it doing right now when you turn the key? You say it won't turn over? Does it click? Do you have power to the rest of the cab? Headlights, interior lights, etc. Can you take a picture of the fender mounted relay? Will be located near the battery (mounted on the fender). Hey Scott, it's kind of sputtering - like the actions kinda right before a normal car would sound like before it turns over to ignite and run regularly. Does that kinda make sense? All the cabin interior lights are working, head lights are working, windshield wipers are working, and the radio even works. The radiator fan is like spinning but way slower than it normally did when it was running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Posted October 12, 2020 Author Share Posted October 12, 2020 Yes, welcome! I'm confident we can get you going, but Scott/kramttoc's questions are good ones. An issue we find is that some people say it won't "turn over" and they mean the engine won't even spin when they turn the key to Start. Others mean it spins but won't fire. So we need to be precise, and that's why he's asking questions. By the way, where's home? We have a map (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map in the menu) and could add you with a city or zip. Thank you for the welcome. I'm in Tucson, Arizona. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1986F150Six Posted October 12, 2020 Share Posted October 12, 2020 Thank you for the welcome. I'm in Tucson, Arizona. Welcome aboard! Check the wiring [connector with 3 wires] connecting the base of the distributor with the ignition module which is located on the fender liner on the driver's side. Pull the two connector pieces apart, clean and dry the three prongs, apply some dielectric grease and reconnect. Any moisture in this area will negatively impact the firing of the spark plugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted October 17, 2020 Share Posted October 17, 2020 Thank you for the welcome. I'm in Tucson, Arizona. Sorry for the delay, but I've been traveling. You are now on the map. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdWrknTrk Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 Welcome to the forum, Guy! I'm wondering if you've been able to figure out what's happened to your truck? Tucson seems a pretty dry climate so I wouldn't think water would linger (keeping the ignition shorted out) It's never a bad idea to wrap the carburetor and distributor in plastic wrap when hosing down the engine. While it might not keep all the water out at least it will prevent a direct blast from forcing water in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Posted October 23, 2020 Author Share Posted October 23, 2020 Welcome to the forum, Guy! I'm wondering if you've been able to figure out what's happened to your truck? Tucson seems a pretty dry climate so I wouldn't think water would linger (keeping the ignition shorted out) It's never a bad idea to wrap the carburetor and distributor in plastic wrap when hosing down the engine. While it might not keep all the water out at least it will prevent a direct blast from forcing water in. Thanks for the advice. I ended up getting it running. It turned out to be a bad fuel pump/filter issue, which I kinda figured after all the feedback I'd gotten from my buddies. The next thing to tackle is a the radiator. Anybody have any experience with flushing a radiator? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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