Peg Leg wrote:
Check for 2 small wires coming out of the bottom edge of the distributor, just under the cap. These could be cracked and not making good contact. If it won't start try lightly pushing them toward the distributor. If this is the problem it's called the pickup coil. The distributor has to be removed and disassembled to replace it.
I was typing when you posted but this is what I was talking about we replaced. There are OHM specs on it I am sure but I do not have them in hand. Most told me this pick up coil will be either working or totally dead. That was not what we found. It was like brown/red dust on it and under it but the coil was still working like at idle. Cheap part but a lot of labor because you have to drive off the gear that drives the distributor to get to the pick up coil. I expect this pick up coil failing can be very frustrating problem for owners of this generation of 454 ignition system.
The fact a failing pick up coil and a clogging fuel filter could act identical boggled my mind.
