[djnap1981]

I despratley need to burn some rubber !
my 86 5.0 wont start it'll turn over and fire and i smell gas . my buddy said it was the pick ups in the distributer not letting it crank . i have tried both firing orders . could it be bad gas in there cause when i pull the plugs out they are wet but they dont light when i try to light it like its water. idunno can someone please help.

[TheBarberShop]

Will it fire and run for a few secs if you spray some starting fluid into the intake? Take the plugs out, clean them off good with gas or carb cleaner. Let sit (with no plugs in motor) for 5-10 mins to dry out cylinders. Reinstall plugs and wires, hold the throttle about 1/2 to 3/4 open and have your buddy crank the engine while you spray starting fluid.

If not, it's an ignition problem. Use a spark tester on each cylinder and make sure they're all getting good hot sparks. Check your distributor make sure it's still tight and hasn't rotated out of time. Pull the cap and check to make sure the rotor hasn't broken or gotten burned up and that it is turning when the motor cranks. Check to make sure the coil wire is tight at both ends. If you get no spark at all you have more serious issues somewhere along the line.

[djnap1981]

i have been putting starting fluid in the intake b 4 but nothing it will just turn over it doesnt even sound like it wants to bust off. what would it be doing if it jumped time ? i know my ignition switch or module ( the plastic piece with all the wires ) is loose so i have it rigged so that power will still go to the car . i can hear the fuel pump engaging. I have been trying to crank it from under the hood with the solenoid . is there a clutch saftey switch that i have to press ?

[djnap1981]

i pulled the plugs out and saw that it was firing on ne random one . i had it running off of cylinder 1 the other day with the throttle all the way when i let off the car cut off.

[TheBarberShop]

Definitely an ignition problem if it won't fire on ether. Swap ignition modules first. Invest in a tool that is cheap and will help a lot: a spark plug tester. The ignition module and/or coil may be defective, if you get no spark at all or a very intermittent spark. Check for power at the coil with the key turned on. I'm not a Ford tech so I can't give you much specifics beyond general Engine diagnostics but i think in 86 fomoco was still using EEC with an ign. module and a separate coil.