Stupid Truck!

[AndrewDT]

This is one of those "Love / Hate" relationships.

I had my stock Quad-4 carb gone through and the thing started fine but would only run 10 seconds then die. Start again, then die, until it warmed up, then it ran great.

It's cold (15 below) so I was going through this ritual and the last time I tried the switch it made a bad sound. Like gears not fully engaging. A screaching metallic very scary sound.

So now it won't start and I can't get it to town. The starter is new. Did I break a tooth? Or what?

(350, AT, 4X4, K10)

[gonebad2]

Sounds like it could be the starter not engaging all the way. You said it is a new starter? Is it "new" or rebuilt ? I have seen plenty of rebuilt starters only last a few weeks or months. Being that cold out, how strong is your battery? Make sure all of your battery connections are clean and attached well. You could remove the starter (probably not an appealing idea when it's -15*) and take it to a place and have it bench tested. Check the flywheel while the starters out and the inspection cover is removed. Hope it works out for you.

[Rooster's 67]

pull the starter and inspect the ring gear on the flex plate...you may have a worn/chipped tooth. try turning the motor by hand (in direction of rotation) to cee if you can catch a good tooth. other than that the solinoid/bendix may be hanging and preventing engagement. a weak battery can also cause starting issues cold or hot.
as far as the carb issue sounds like you my have a choke pull off that is out of adjustment(pulling the choke off to fast). or just a choke out of adjustment.
If you feather the pedal can you keep it running?

[AndrewDT]

Thanks, I knew I'd have to pull the starter. I hope it warms up by Saturday.

If I keep fluttering the gas it'll run, yes. Until I quit, then it dies.

[MrGoodpliers]

No need to pull the starter... Just grab the fan belt and pull it to turn the engine a few degrees.

[smitty62]

Mrgoodpliers is probably right--moving the flywheel slightly may get you home. You will need to pull the starter to check it AND the flywheel.

[AndrewDT]

That's a good idea. I was thinking of trying to roll the thing in gear to just get to the next tooth. Tough with an automatic.

[shortymac83]

about the carb, it sounds like a choke problem. I have that problem too sometimes on the qjet on my delta, but I went over to an electric choke and found that the choke plate was sticking open. Fixed all that, and now it runs like a clock.

[SWEET7T]

Crawl under your truck and smack it a few times with a hammer... ya never know, maybe it just isn't engaging well and that is your noise. If not turn the engine a few degrees with a breaker bar on the crank. That may get her going. If not, you will have to pull the starter to figure out what the deal is.

As for your running problems... choke. But I have to help mine for about 10sec until everything gets set. Mine is automatic, but not electric.

Good luck

[Baradium]

My '70 has some issues right now... when cold you have to mess with the throttle for a few minutes until it will idle on it's own... been living with that. It also looses power when the secondaries start to open... that I can't really live with... need to rebuild the carb. Probobly because it tends to sit a while between being run and I bet the fuel evaporates in the carb.

[dinnut]

someone else mentioned this. but your battery could be low. try boosting it. i had this same thing happen and one day it started right up. i charged the battery and after that it started starting.... right after this my starter went out tho. good luck man these kinda things can be a pain in the ass

[seacrow]

I just had the same exact series of events on my GMC. I broke my brand new flywheel and stripped the bendix on a brand new reman starter. I had one of Ed's from Mothertruckers guys put on a new mini starter and install a new flywheel. It turns over perfect now. Better than it ever has. I will never use a reman part again, nor will I use the giant stock starter again.

[Hooter]

is it a bosch reman starter, I have nothing beut problems with their starters, the Wilson starters are a lot better I find

[J]

Crawl under your truck and smack it a few times with a hammer...

LOL I've done that a few times!!!

[tomsC10R]

Andrew,
If it's a new starter, it may be grinding because of the angle it's at. You may need to play around with shims. But I'd try what everyone else suggested first I had that problem with my camaro. To start, I put a full shim. It was fine for about 5 starts. Being lazy, I just tried tightning it instead of taking it off again, and it was good again for about another 5 starts. I eventually fixed it for good by cutting the shim in half, and putting the shim on the outside of the starter to move the starter closer to the flywheel. BTW, very thin shim. Goodluck!!

[Hooter]

Originally posted by J

LOL I've done that a few times!!!

oh man its the evil monkey from the closet LOL!!!!!!