[Pete Munroe]

I do not know if the age of the engine, late 80's means it has a Ford electronic igntion or not...it could have been removed if this is an engine pulled out of another car that isn't really smog legal.

On my 67" Vette, once I broke a condensor wire...the points were new, I didn't bother to change the condensor... but still managed to bend, crack and break it's wire...the engine would start, run a few seconds, (not 15 to 30) and stall, usually with a great spit back through the card.

If it is a high mileage engine, I would not waste money on a good roller chain...get a STOCK Ford replacement..this sounds like a almost worn out grocery getter...but maybe 20 or 30K left in it.

A stock chain and gear can go 100k+...this engine do not sound to have 100k left in it.

Just make sure there are no nylon teeth like the old GM stuff...my nylon gear let loose at 90K on the Vette and trashed the engine, many years back.

Check the simple stuff...wires, rotor...!!!!!!!!! ....the carbon nub in the top of the distributor cap...it is spring loaded, I have broken them too...oops.

hang in there, Pete