no spark 1987 f150

[cwargo]

I shut the truck off and went to start it in about 15 minutes andit just cranked .No spark from coil ,I replaced coil and relay still nothing from coil.

[mechhound]

The most common thing to go dead on this vintage Ford is the ignition module on the side of the distributor. You need a special tool to remove and reinstall this. It's a skinny nose socket of sorts. A regular socket won't work, it doesn't have a skinny enough nose.

Which engine do you have? If you have the 302(5.0 liter) you will probably need to rotate the distributor to remove the ignition module.

Post back with which engine you have, and any further questions.

[cwargo]

its a 5.0 I had the module checked it was good according to the auto parts store

[mechhound]

First make sure you have power going to the coil with the IGNITION SWITCH TURNED ON. Should have power at one of the small wires that hooks onto the coil. If you have power going to the coil, again with the ignition switch turned ON, the bad part must be the PIP inside the distributor. You have to remove and disassemble the distributor to replace the PIP.

I understand O'reillys sells NEW, I repeat NEW reproduction distributors. That's what I would recommend. Do Not, I repeat DO NOT purchase a REBUILT distributor from any of the parts distributors, REBUILT distributors are, for the most part, junk.

[cwargo]

I don,t know if there's power going to the coil,had to stop and get some sleep had to work tonight.I'll check it out in the morning when I get home.
Thanks for the help.

[mechhound]

If it comes down to removing the distributor, make sure you take the proper steps before you pull the distributor so you can reinstall the new distributor in the correct position.

[cwargo]

Just pulled the distributor heading to O'Reilly's hope this works,

[mechhound]

I went to the O'reilly web site out of curiousity. New distributors are indeed available. The distributors come with both steel and cast iron drive gears and they are NOT interchangeable. Make sure your replacement distributor has the same type drive gear as your old distributor. If you get the wrong type of drive gear you will destroy your camshaft.

[cwargo]

put distributor in and it fired right up.Thanks for all your help ,now maybe you can tell me why my valves make so much noise.

[mechhound]

Originally Posted by cwargo

now maybe you can tell me why my valves make so much noise.

I wish I could. I haven't had much experience with that, and without hearing it. How many miles on the truck?

[rhandwor]

Originally Posted by mechhound

I wish I could. I haven't had much experience with that, and without hearing it. How many miles on the truck?

Get some product at the parts store that frees hydraulic lifters. Read the bottle on how long you can use it before changing oil. Probable under 1 week.
On these model Ford's put a test light on the coil negative if it blinks when cranking replace the module 5.5mm deep 1/4 drive socket or KD special tool. If it don't blink the pick up is bad purchase a pick up a special tool is needed to change this item or a rebuilt distributor is needed.

[cwargo]

It seems like after I put the distibutor in the valve noise went away,it must of been low spark.