Does it have a header? How about an exhaust leak at the manifold
collector?

Sometimes those can heat up starters enough you have to let them cool
off or they drag.

Could your timing advance plate be sticking from lack of oil? Some have
a sponge under the rotor that needs an oil soak. Maybe grab the rotor
and see if it rotates free and spring loaded.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Swabbie wrote:
>
> this is a problem that has plagued this truck for about 2 years now. I have
> posted this problem on about every ford tech site on the net. Still no go.
> heres the situation,
> the truck will crank right up, and drive perfectly to wherever I am going. I
> then turn it off.
> If it has been about 30 miles or so, it will NOT restart until it has sat
> for about 15 minutes(as if it needs to cool down).
> it tries to turn over, but will crank like a low battery. Jumping it does
> nothing. It has to sit for about 15 minutes minimum, Then it will crank
> right up like nothing was wrong.
> Of course this doesn't happen if its a short trip. Only if the truck has
> been driven 30 miles or so.
>
> now heres what I have done/changed:
> the obvious guess would be the starter, perhaps bushings heating up..but,
> I've been through 2 of them..NO DIFFERENCE! one remanufactured, the other a
> new motorcraft.
>
> next, is the battery..brand new, new cables and leads. ground is good and
> tight to motor.
> I even ran a bigger gauge lead to the starter, no difference.
> I've changed plugs, wires, solenoid under hood, and still NO GO.
> Someone suggested that it had jumped time...checked it with light and its
> perfect.
> distributor you say? NOPE..new one too.
>
> any ideas? it sucks to HAVE to stay somewhere for at least 20 minutes.
>
> --
> d