Help, Truck won't start when it rains out

[JoelD]

I replaced cap and rotor, thought I solved it, but nope.

1986 f250, 351 carburated.

Any thoughts on what could be the cause are greatly appreciated.

She turns over fine, and gets fuel, and has compression, starts great when dry out.

Must be electrical of some sort.

Any help is greatly appreciated (coil, condensor (not sure if it has one))???

Thanks to all.

Joel

 

[wushaw]

So what your saying is if the trucks just sits (no driving) in a rain storm then it will not start?

I know Fords were bad about water getting on the distributor when hitting a puddle and drowning out and silicon spray on the dist regularly would fix the problem.

Sitting still is something I had not seen or heard on a Ford pu.
I used to have a 67 chevy pu that had worn out hood hinges and water would get on the dist in a rain storm but your dist sits on the ft. of the motor and your hood would have to really be messed up.

When it doesn't start are you checking for water on/in the dist?

 

[Dmace]

Did you replace the spark plug wires, if they are cracked then the water would short them and kill the power to the plugs.

 

[JoelD]

Thanks for the response.

You are correct, happens when sitting.

Weird as the hood is fine, seems to be the dampness as much as anything.

I don't totally understand how the distributor works on this truck.

I have a coil and what looks to be a condensor mounted near the coil.

I am not sure if the distrbutor has points under the rotor down in the distributor, there is something in there but can't quite make it out.

After sitting in the sun for some time she'll start right up again.

Is there anything I can use to dry it out other than compressed air? I'm not sure if it's the coil, condensor, points (if I can find them) or something else.

Joel

 

[tommu56]

Check and see if you ar geting spark at coil then check wires and plugs.

It could aldo be inigtion module check at coil first and go left or right from there

is it a 351 w dura spark 2 then it has a pick up on the front of engine for timing if its like my old 83 bronco

tom

 

[Inspector507]

That era Ford may have an ignition module on the firewall or inner fender, I don't remember which. It is notorious for developing a crack in the back of it. On my old Ford, if it got too hot it wouldn't start. On some it was dampness in the air and they wouldn't start.

Changed the ignition module and all was fine.

 

[Willl]

When its in its 'no start' condition, start at the plugs and work your way back to the fault.

 

[tractorsanmore]

Most likely it's the plug wires , common problem . There are no points in your distributer , they haven't used points since the early 70's in a ford truck

 

[JoelD]

Thanks for all the responses today guys.

I'll start at the plugs and work my way back.

Was alone last night and therefore could not spin motor and look at my sparkplug tester light at the same time.

Will grab my neighbor as soon as the rain stops and see what I can find.

Will be glad when I sort this out.

Is there a way to test the ignition module?

Thanks again guys. Rainy cruddy day today, not much to do but sit in the window and stare at the truck, and yard and tractor and trailer and all the other things I'd rather be working on / using than sitting inside.

Joel

 

[tommu56]

All you need is a remote start switch and clip it on the solenoid and battery leave in park / neutral and key in run and its a DIYS job.

I made one after yelling at the wife for not bumping the starter right while I was working on engine.

Just a push button 2 clips and a length of lamp cord bicycle grip and electrical tape.

tom