When I have experienced the same problem with mine it ended up being the ignition coil most of the time. The second time I had a similar issue it was the computer.
Hello, just joined the group on here, as I just purchased a '96 F-250 with the 460. When fires, it runs very well and I have taken it to work which is 21 miles 1 way, but every now and then after it has ran for a bit, it cranks but doesn't start. I replaced the ICM as my co-workers (I work at a garage) figured out that it loses spark at times. The ICM seemed to not fix the problem and so I am going to replace the the distributor this week. The truck does have 2 fuel tanks, one of which doesn't read the fuel level, and the other one does read the level, but seems to make the truck sputter more when accelerating. Times when I run the rear tank that reads it seems this problem is more prevalent and it cranks but does not start more often. When I changed the fuel filter I noticed the gas smelt terrible, could that be a reason for cutting out or is the pump going bad?
Either way, my main question is, do you think that the distributor is truly the cause of this no start issue? I do not want to keep throwing parts at it, but I need to drive it more often as my wife is going back to work after our wedding. Thanks.
UPDATE: It was a combination of both the distributor and a bad ignition coil. The distributor took care of the no start problem, but it took a downpour of rain to expose the bad coil and coil wire. The coil would intermittently cause a loss of spark. Truck is running like a champ now. I appreciate all of your input.Hello, just joined the group on here, as I just purchased a '96 F-250 with the 460. When fires, it runs very well and I have taken it to work which is 21 miles 1 way, but every now and then after it has ran for a bit, it cranks but doesn't start. I replaced the ICM as my co-workers (I work at a garage) figured out that it loses spark at times. The ICM seemed to not fix the problem and so I am going to replace the the distributor this week. The truck does have 2 fuel tanks, one of which doesn't read the fuel level, and the other one does read the level, but seems to make the truck sputter more when accelerating. Times when I run the rear tank that reads it seems this problem is more prevalent and it cranks but does not start more often. When I changed the fuel filter I noticed the gas smelt terrible, could that be a reason for cutting out or is the pump going bad?
Either way, my main question is, do you think that the distributor is truly the cause of this no start issue? I do not want to keep throwing parts at it, but I need to drive it more often as my wife is going back to work after our wedding. Thanks.