The Shop Truck - 1989 F150 shortbed

Blaze said:
Well, I do have pressure at the rail and it is good pressure. It also will not start with starting fluid.

I am going to check timing on it, see where it is at. I'm going to also replace the TFI module and see. I really feel like something is seriously up with the timing, and at 198k miles it may just be the timing chain has jumped.
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had a 1990 F150 that between my grandpa, me and my ddad we put 425k on the 5.0...never a timing chain issue. of course YMMV
 
Well, think I may have found the problem. I was going to replace the TFI module and noticed that the distributor was loose.

Guess that's what happens when you only have 5 minutes at a time to work on something, simple things get overlooked......:lol:

I pulled the distributor just to check it out and it looks to be ok. I am going to install a TFI relocation kit just as a precaution, so figured I'd yank it.
 
Ha! You said "yank it" :lol:
 
So got my McCully Racing TFI relocation kit in the mail yesterday. Going to try and install it tonight if I get the time. Really busy around here. I gotta get this truck going though. It is in my way and I need a hauler!
 
I had a Bronco a few years back with the 5.0 and haf constant problems with the tfi but it always Started when cold it was just a problem after an hour or so

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I honestly think the problem is that the battery cable was bad and causing strange starting issues. Whoever worked on this truck last must have started screwing with the distributor thinking the timing was the problem. Now that I have fixed the battery cable, the distributor is so far off that it won't start. I don't believe the TFI is the issue, but since I am pulling the distributor anyway, might as well make it more easily accessible and get it away from the engine heat.
 
I got over 200k on a stock Motorcraft TFI module. The biggest problem with them is that they would crap out and then would get replaced with a cheap parts store version that cost a fraction of the price and lasted a fraction of the time.
 
So I've decided to punt on this thing. I got it running for maybe 5 seconds and then it strted acting stupid again. Engine might be flooding or something. Whatever it is, I have spent too much time on this thing.

My best friend told me when I got this truck "it's cool, but not what you want, as long as you can get it running without spending any money it will be good. If you start looking to spend money, remember that you want a Chevy." Then last night I told my wife about my frustration and she said to sell it and buy a Chevy like I wanted.

This thing would be an awesome truck for someone who is a Ford guy. I am not that person.

I have enough money in my business to go buy myself a decent 70s-80s longbed 2wd Chevy, so I am going to do that this week and then sell this thing. It is up for sale now, will be posting it in the classifieds.
 
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