I have a 1977 manual transmission ford pickup V8 that ran when I parked it last fall but had a curious problem going on then. Until it was warmed up (while idling or going down the road), the engine would occasionally die. It would immediately restart and continue on until it was well warmed up and then seemed to run okay. I thought it might be a choke problem but the choke appeared to be okay anytime I visually inspected it. I also changed the fuel filter but never have run a fuel pressure test on the pump to date.
It hasn't run all winter and when I tried to start it the other day, it wouldn't start - cranked great, just no fire. Since it didn't have any spark as I turned it over with a near grounded spark plug wire but did have power at the + side of the coil when the key was on (as shown on my test light), I replaced the coil hoping that might explain the intermittent problem I'd been having last year and correct the no starting problem. After changing the coil, I still no spark as I look for an ark with a plug wire near ground and the engine cranking so am wondering if something is wrong in the ignition module. I'd hoped to just find points and a condenser but not so, so my search continues.
Does anyone know how to check that module without having to throw some big bucks into a module replacement on this year of ford?
thanks very much for any help, John