1985 Ford F150 Won't Start

[DocChiron]

Hello--New member here.

I have a 1985 Ford F150 4.9L 6 cyl auto trans with about 130,000 miles. Bought it new. After 20-odd years of hauling stuff around, it is pretty beat up, but has generally been reliable until the past couple of years when it began not starting after short trips to get gas or go to the store. Ran fine going, but after filling with gas, just no hope of restarting until it sat awhile. Since it is not one of our main vehicles, I didn't think too much about it, just figured it was a quirk I could work around.

Recently as my wife was taking the dog to the vet, the dog bumped the shift lever into neutral, the engine revved then died and wouldn't restart. I figured it was more of the same, so went by after work to retrieve it. But it wouldn't start at all. The engine turned just fine, but no start. I checked for spark from the distributor--none.

When I got home I checked the web and read about the Ford TFI/ICM recall for this model, so figured that was likely the problem. While I was at it, I got a new ignition coil along with the TFI/ICM. The coil went on fine, but for the life of me, I cannot figure out how to get the TFI off.

The TFI is mounted on the distributor, and according to net searches it is attached with torx-head bolts. Neither of my torx drivers fit, and I can't get my stiff neck twisted down low enough to look in the mounting holes.

Does anybody know which wrench/driver to use, or do you have a picture of the unit? And while we are at it, have you had any experience with this problem? I would appreciate your help.

Thanks.

[Rasp]

Not specifically related to your problem but I have had trouble with torax bolts before.

What often happens is the torax head will get incrusted with dirt and grime. It will often make the correct torax driver feel like it is the wrong size because it will just slip off the bolt.

You really need to make sure that the bolt is clean of debris by cleaning it out first. When I say debris is in there I mean it can get packed where the debris is almost as hard as the bolt. There may be a cleaner (solvent) that might help you do the trick.

My difficulties were with the torax bolts on the brake calipers. This is just an idea that you can try not sure if it is related though. I used a hammer and hammered the Torax drive has hard as I could into the head of the Torax bolt and that worked for me. But I'm not sure what type of tight spot your in so you might not be able to use a hammer.

[DocChiron]

Back again for follow-up.

I put in a new TFI module and with a little jolt of starting fluid it popped right off. It is running in my driveway right now, recharging the battery. Runs like a champ.

After trying every torx wrench I had without luck, I managed to get a mirror down to where I could see that I had hex bolts, not torx bolts. Got on the net and saw that it took a 7/8 hex socket not the 20 torx that some apparently require. Of course all of my 7/8 sockets were normal, not the "special" thin wall socket that Ford designed for the module. After a bit of checking around I was able to buy a tool specially designed for the module, and with a little messing about I got 'em changed out.

Today is a GOOD day in this neighborhood.

[Rasp]

Glad you got them off easy.

[rhandwor]

It is a 7/32 or 5.5mm deep 1/4 inch drive socket will fit. In a pinch buy a 7/32 nut driver and grind it down until it fits.

[DocChiron]

Yer absolutely right! 7/32 NOT 7/8.

Thanks for the catch.