• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

Cranks but not starting

  • Thread starter Thread starter 79MustangMane
  • Start date Start date Nov 12, 2008
7

79MustangMane

New Member
Nov 10, 2008
13
0
0
Nov 12, 2008
#1
  • Nov 12, 2008
  • #1
whats up guys. I have a 79 Mustang 5.0 and I am having problems getting it to starting up. I am not getting spark from no where. My coil is not sparking at all nor my plugs is getting fire. I changed the coil. On this is it had the external resistor, so i changed to a coil with an internal resistor and still nothing. What is my problem? I am thinking that it is the control module. It is not located on the dist. it is on the fender wall on the driver side. Is anyone able to help me out. Thanks.
 

jikelly

20+ Year Stangneter
Jul 9, 2003
872
53
99
Lubbock Tx
Nov 12, 2008
#2
  • Nov 12, 2008
  • #2
You have the 5.0 wiring harness I guess. Check and make sure your coil is getting power. On my 73 I would then trace the power back to the ignition switch, and trace that back to the fuse panel.
 

Rusty67

20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 3, 2002
3,749
37
109
LA, CA
Nov 12, 2008
#3
  • Nov 12, 2008
  • #3
Just to double check, since this is a 79, its a fox chasis. Does it have a duraspark distributor and ignition box ? If so, I would get out a multimeter and start with the box. Make sure you are geting power there and that it is puting power out. Also, check to ensure that power is actually making it to the coil.
 
7

79MustangMane

New Member
Nov 10, 2008
13
0
0
Nov 15, 2008
#4
  • Nov 15, 2008
  • #4
hey guys! I have another ? If I changed from a stock cam in my 79 mustang, will the firing order changed also? I am thinking that it will. I have a 302 in it, the cam spec. said to change it over to a 351 firing order but some people said that you dont change the firing order of a 302 to a 351 so I didnt in it still isnt starting. So, if changing to a perf. cam means to change the firing order if necessary? Thanks
 

Rusty67

20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 3, 2002
3,749
37
109
LA, CA
Nov 15, 2008
#5
  • Nov 15, 2008
  • #5
If the cam card says to use the 351w firing order then use it otherwise your car wont start and if it does it will run like crap and backfire through the carb.

The 5.0s and 351w's have the same firing order. 302 and 351w cams are interchangable. You must use the firing order specified by the cam.
 

woodsnake

15 Year Member
Jan 16, 2007
1,352
15
69
Hicksville, NY
Nov 16, 2008
#6
  • Nov 16, 2008
  • #6
I think actually, the 5.0 HO and the 351W are the same.
The 289 and 302/5.0 are the same order.

If you have the wrong firing order, the car will still run. Crappy, loud, back firing, horribly, but it will run.

For any no start, go back to basics. Battery voltage, clean and tight contacts, gas in the tank, etc....
 

Rusty67

20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 3, 2002
3,749
37
109
LA, CA
Nov 16, 2008
#7
  • Nov 16, 2008
  • #7
Depends on the 5.0. The 82 GT 5.0 I have in my 67 has the 351w firing order and it is a non roller 5.0. I've heard of 5.0s going both ways with the firing order but all of the 5.0 HO motors had the 351w firing order.
 
7

79MustangMane

New Member
Nov 10, 2008
13
0
0
Nov 19, 2008
#8
  • Nov 19, 2008
  • #8
whats up guys! I have another ? for ya. I just bought this 71 mustang. It has a 5.0 in it and the guy i got it from couldnt get it started I said the only thing that he put on it was a perf. cam, but that is it. So, I looked the cam up to get the spec. and it said that with that cam that everything can stay stock but he valve springs. The valve springs are still stock. I was thinks would the valve springs keep the car from starting up? Thanks.
 

Rusty67

20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 3, 2002
3,749
37
109
LA, CA
Nov 20, 2008
#9
  • Nov 20, 2008
  • #9
Pull the valve covers and see if any of the springs broke. If they are broken that will answer that question.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

8
Electrical Crank-no start ... no spark ... no injector pulse, was it something I did? (redux)
  • 85gtCOBRA
  • Oct 28, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
544
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 29, 2025
85gtCOBRA
8
8
Did I fry something messing with my ignition?
  • 85gtCOBRA
  • Oct 18, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
30
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Nov 15, 2025
85gtCOBRA
8
F
1986 mustang no start
  • foxyjamss221
  • Oct 11, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
316
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 13, 2025
foxyjamss221
F
M
Help! 2003 GT misfire when hot
  • Modular03
  • Feb 10, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
366
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Feb 13, 2026
Mustang5L5
K
Resolved Weird sound coming from a freshly rebuilt 5.0L
  • karhoot
  • Jun 24, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
177
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 27, 2026
Mac131
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?