75 won't start
 

I will start off by saying that my mechanical knowledge is limited so please bear with me. I got in my 75 today and it cranked like usual but only ran for about a second then died and wouldnt crank back up. I figured maybe the fuel pump went out but it's working fine. Checked the spark at the plugs and it's getting spark. The engine turns over just as strong as ever. So the starter is fine and it's getting fuel and spark, so now I have no idea. It has the stock 350 in it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Re: 75 won't start
 

Pour a little gas in the carb and try it. Could be a clogged carb filter.

Re: 75 won't start
 

Could it still be a clogged carb filter even if I can see gas squirting into the carb?
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Re: 75 won't start
 

If you got accelerator pump spraying then you got gas. Maybe too much gas. Hold the pedal to the floor and crank it till it starts. Might be crap in the needle/seat making it flood a bit.

Re: 75 won't start
 

or a leaky/broken main gas line

Re: 75 won't start
 

Ok just went and held the pedal to the floor and still nothing.
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Re: 75 won't start
 

Not even a sputter?
How long did you hold the pedal to the floor?

Re: 75 won't start
 

Yeah not even a sputter. I held it for a good 15-20 seconds. Multiple times.
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Re: 75 won't start
 

Maybe the distributor is loose and the timing has retarded a bit.
Can you grab the vacuum pot and move the distributor easily?

Re: 75 won't start
 

I honestly don't know what a vacuum pot is. I know when it turns over, it turns over just as fast and strong as it always has.
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Re: 75 won't start
 

dry out a water bottle
poke a hole in the lid
fill bottle with gas
squirt some into carb
try and start it
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Re: 75 won't start
 

vac pot is the grey thing sticking out of the side of the dizzy usally on the pass side
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Re: 75 won't start
 

I will put gas directly into the carb tomorrow. Maybe that will change something. I will post the results.
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Re: 75 won't start
 

If you stroke the throttle 2 times and see fuel being sprayed inside then don't waste your time making a bottle to pour more in with. You'll have more than enough to make it start.

Re: 75 won't start
 

Ok yeah I didn't try pouring gas in it yet but gas is definitely spraying in there.
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Re: 75 won't start
 

Went ahead and poured gas into the carb for the hell of it and yeah still nothing.
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Re: 75 won't start
 

Neutral safety switch? Not 100% sure how they prevent the vehicle from starting but I know if not in the right position, they'll do just that.

Re: 75 won't start
 

Nuetral safety switch is wired between the ignition switch and the S terminal on the solenoid. If it cranks it's not the NSS.

Re: 75 won't start
 

My bet is timing. Definitely grab the vacuum advance and see if you can rotate the distributor.
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Re: 75 won't start
 

The rotor in the distributor could be bad. It will break down under load and will not allow it to start. They are cheap and worth a try. Cap and rotor can be bought cheap but you may just try the rotor first.
Frank
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Re: 75 won't start
 

I'm goin to check the rotor tomorrow. Maybe I will get luck and that will be it.
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Re: 75 won't start
 

Put a new rotor in the distributor. Still nothing. I noticed a little piece of metal that fell out when I took the cap off. So maybe a new distributor cap is needed?
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Re: 75 won't start
 

Grab the vacuum advance pot and rotate the distributor about 1 inch. I'm sure it's slightly loose already.

Re: 75 won't start
 

Should it just turn or will I need to loosen something?
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Re: 75 won't start
 

If it won't move easily then look under the cap down by the intake manifold. You'll see the head of a bolt that is tightened on a clamp that holds the dizzy in place. Could be 1/2 or 9/16 inch bolt. Loosen it slightly to rotate the dizzy counterclockwise. Move it about 1/2 inch to 1 inch and see if it wants to start.
If it starts then tighten the bolt again.

Re: 75 won't start
 

Thanks I will try that tomorrow.
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Re: 75 won't start
 

Cracked distributor cap or the ignition module has gone bad.

Re: 75 won't start
 

While your at it take a pic of your motor and dizzy for us!

Re: 75 won't start
 

I took it to a friends house that is a mechanic, so he is gonna look at it for me. Thanks for all the info and suggestions guys. I will post on here when he figured out what exactly the problem is.
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Re: 75 won't start
 

Good luck with it and I hope you get it straightened out pretty fast and that it isn't anything serious.

Re: 75 won't start
 

Did you confirm the rotor was actually turning?

Re: 75 won't start
 

no i didnt

Re: 75 won't start
 

show your friend that piece,could be the issue
under the entire distributer cap is the rotor which has a thin strip of metal,it comes up to contact the bottom of the actual plastic cap of the the dizzy
looking up inside you should see a little round metal bump(contact bushing)
if it's flat it's wearing out,can still work tho

Re: 75 won't start
 

Update: Got my truck back today. The teeth on the gears for the timing chain had been sheared off. The original gears were still on there.
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Re: 75 won't start
 

That's not good news.

Did something stop turning?

What's your next step? shop for a crate motor or fix this one?

I know you must be bummed outs since this is a new truck to you.
Just hand in there and you'll get it sorted out.

Get a manual and post pics and questions here.

Re: 75 won't start
 

Original late 70's thru 80's gears were poly/nylon so teeth sheering after years of use is not unusual. Pop a new steel gear & chain on & it's back in business.

Re: 75 won't start
 

Yeah it had the original nylon gears. He put new gears and chain on it and it runs great now.

Re: 75 won't start
 

This is why I asked if the rotor was actually turning. Broken timing gear or chain = cam not turning = distributor/rotor not turning.

Re: 75 won't start
 

Awesome dude! Congrats.

You need to post some pics!