Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1969 F-250 electrical problems, electronic ignition system, power circuits

Question
I own the above truck (240 CID straight six) and recently detailed the engine compartment as well as cleaned up the wiring. Before this all was working fine. Regarding the wiring, I took extra care labeling all wires and connections so that when they were rerouted, lengths of damaged wire replaced etc. that the circuits would remain as they were.  When it came time to start it up, I turned the ignition switch to run (dash lights on, accessories work) and then held the switch momentarily to start. The starter cranked and kept cranking even after I released the key back to the run position, turned it to off and still cranking.  I had to disconnect the battery from the solenoid.  Upon attempting to reconnect battery to solenoid shorting occurred. Something was grounding.  I removed the battery's pos. lead and bypassed the solenoid and starter and applied it to all other power circuits and all seemed fine.  Tried to connect the battery + directly to the starter and zapp, shorting (multimeter shows no resistance between starter lead and ground, direct short).  My question, why did the starter at first crank - then not stop - then short on second attempt to apply power.
Also, It appears I have a electronic ignition system that does not seem to be stock.  There is a sealed ignition module mounted on the wheel well with no markings on it whatsoever and an electronic distributor (type with six rotating magnets and a sensor) that only says "Motorcraft" on it, no other markings.  This distributor is also the type that uses 8mm wires with a cap that has male terminals similar to a spark plug's.  It is using a standard 12 volt external coil.  Do you know the model of this unit and anything about it.  Maybe installed as a Ford upgrade years later made specifically for this engine being that it's Motorcraft?

Thanks for any help you can provide,
Michael Petruccione


Answer
Ford went to electronic ignition in 1974. So it would appear that some one of the previous owners did a modification to your truck. The system that you are describing is 1974 and newer, up to the early 80's. As for the starter problem is sounds like the solenoid is defective and a replacement should cure your problem.