I have a 1989 F150, 4.9L, 5 speed M5OD, short wheel base.

I went out to start my truck a few weeks ago and it would crank, just not fire. I am getting spark as well as fuel. Here is what I have done in the past few days:

replaced the TPS because no matter how many times I set the voltage, after trying to start it once it would drop down to like .3 volts.

replaced the distributor because I thought it was the PIP, no help.

replaced wires and spark plugs, it needed it so no time like the present.

I have the base timing set perfectly at 10 degrees BTDC, and the firing order is correct 1-5-3-6-2-4

I also replaced the starter solenoid because a post broke off

Also a wierd thing is happening whenever I have the key on and if I slightly move the distributor the fuel pump will turn on, but it only does it when i move the distributor to a certain spot, anywhere else and the pump doesn't come on, however it does come on when I first turn the key to the on position.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

How good is the connection on the ground for the fuel pump? It might be loose. And the distributer thing sounds kinda odd I've never heard of that happening before.

 

Yeah, I will check that when I get off work. I have never heard of it either and I was stumped when that happend.

 

I'm guess is it's a grounding issue and fuel delivery issue if it gets spark and tries to crank

 

Do you know where all the grounds are on this motor? I know there is one that grounds to the header, also should I unhook all the grounds and take a wire brush to the grounding locations just to be safe?

 

I would there is one that's a flat braided wire grounding the cab to the frame. And the frame to the block that's the same type of braided wire. There is also one I thing grounding the bed to the frame. The pump I believe is grounded to the frame

 

thanks so much, would you happen to know where the ignition relay goes? its a relay that looks just like the 5 pin set up for the fuel pump relay. Would that be the same as the ECM/EEC relay? It is part number 19840. Its already been purchased so I wont be wasting any more money on it lol. Thanks so much for all your assistance and once I get off of my 24 hour shift tomorrow, I will definately check all my grounds.

 

No I don't sorry

 

This is how I set my base timing, please let me know if I didn't get it right.

I pulled the SPOUT connector

Pulled the #1 plug

Rotated the engine so that it was at 1o degrees BTDC, which was the thin line timing mark, centered on the big "V" notch.

Pulled the cap off of the distributor and saw where the rotor was pointing.

Adjusted my wires to coordinate with the firing order

Put the cap back on, tightened it down and replaced the plug and wires.

Once I did all that a few times I was sure it would start, but still nothing.

 

If the timing was off it would still fire just run like crap. And that sounds right. I'm not sure how many degrees BTDC our engine is