I can't get my maverick to start. We got it started by putting gas in the carb at first. We replaced the fuel filter and pump. Also the ignition coil. Now it cranks but won't turn over. Only place I touch wires was by the coil. I believe I wired the coil connector correctly. we have all the drum brake stuff in my closet cost like 100 or 2. we replaced the coil, coil connector, fuel pump, fuel filter, starter solenoid, and voltage regulator.
http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/1975-maverick-starting-problems.122629/page-2 every pic is on there
Since it was running, we can assume the engine is in good enough mechanical condition that it should be able to fire up.
Quality is a problem with today's aftermarket parts, most of which are made in China or Mexico. Did you purchase the correct coil? A 1975 model if still original will have an early electronic ignition system which may be sensitive to the type of coil used. You could try putting the old coil back in and see if it works.
As a quick check to see if you're getting any spark you can spray some starting fluid down the carb throat and see if the engine briefly fires up. If it doesn't either you have no spark.
If you don't already have one purchase a factory shop manual, or at least a Chilton manual that covers your car. (Chilton is less comprehensive but back then they were still useful.)
@chucktobias
we did put the old coil on and it didn't fire up. my dad said he doesn't see spark by the coil so we are going to try and hook a test lead from the battery to the coil and see if it will fire up. first got to charge the battery because it died.
You might want to try the starting fluid test, that's probably the quickest way to see if you have spark. It's possible something was accidentally disturbed or damaged when changing out the coil. It's been a very long time since I dealt with one of those.
@chucktobias
also should have said my dad said he doesn't see spark by the coil.
A few generic suggestions...
If there is no spark start looking at the ignition control box, the pickup in the distributor, and the wiring between them. (Maybe pick up a new control box. They're cheap and even if it doesn't fix the problem having a spare is not a bad thing.)
Make sure you have voltage at the coil with the ignition on. If it uses a ballast resistor that will probably be 7 or 8 volts, otherwise it will be a full 12 volts. Check that the distributor is turning when you crank the engine. Also check that the pickup in the distributor is not open or shorted to ground.
@chucktobias
so this? https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,1975,maverick,4.1l+250cid+l6,1132232,ignition,ignition+control+module+(icm),7172 could this be causing no spark at the coil?
Yes, if the ignition control module is bad you will get no spark. If the new coil you installed was not quite the right one it could have damaged the module, or the module could have just chosen that moment to fail after 45 years or however long it's been in there. (Or the problem could be something else entirely!)
@chucktobias
ok thanks.
Let us all know how you make out. The disadvantage you have is that on a 1975 automobile there are no computers to give you error codes for guidance. The advantage though is that you're working with a fundamentally simple setup and there are relatively few things that can go wrong with it. Next in line if it's not the ignition module would be the pickup inside the distributor, or its wiring.
@chucktobias yeah my maverick is a project but will be turned into a daily driver. this is what we have done so far. This is about my 1975 ford maverick 250 straight 6. I bought it from my friend for $400 who said it sat for 8-10 years but ran when parked. When we first got it we started it by putting fuel in the carb. Now it cranks but won't fire up and doesn't have spark by the coil. So we replaced the coil, coil connector, voltage regulator, starter solenoid, fuel filter, fuel pump, and ignition control module and it still won't start. The battery is fully charged and the spark plugs are good. I am just so confused. Any help would be much appreciated. P.S the parts we replaced were for the different issues we found. We have a guy thats said he can help me out this weekend. He has been a mechanic for 46 years.
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Take a spark plug out and lay it on a ground and fire the thing up with the wire attached and if it sparks move on to fuel or compression.
