My buddy has a '86 Ranger and he's not getting spark. I was gonna help him, but I know nothing about the older motors and how they're set up.

His dad suggested it might be a brain... any more insight?

Here's the pic. of the engine:

 

coil, wires, distributor, battery... start there..

 

might check the ignition module too if those dont do it

 

X2, the ICM is usually what goes.
It's the small box located on the driver's side intake manifold,
with wiring plugs going into the top and bottom.