Truck will run if I crank starter, but not in run position.???

[J.Cagle]

Trying to get my 65 with a 283 running tonight. Its suposed to go tomorrow and get traded for some parts, but the guy wants to hear it run. Ive got power at the coil, (but it is weak) The truck will turn over just fine, and with a shot of ether will start and run on ether. But it will only run as long as I keep cranking the starter. As soon as I let of the starter it does nothing. Doesnt even spit or sputter. It just quits. Any Ideas???

[Clyde65]

starter? ign switch or wiring at said objects.

[J.Cagle]

My guess is started solenoid maybe. cuz the power at the coil when tested with a test light is weak.....

[FreakyMalo]

If you want to fix it, I agree with Clyde. Ignition switch or a connection somewhere.
If you want to make it run so he can hear it, just run a wire from the battery+ to the coil+. Shouldn't hurt the coil to run it for a few minutes on a full 12 volts.

edit: If the starter is cranking, it's not the solenoid. The solenoid does provide power to the coil while cranking but you said it runs when it's cranking so that part is ok. Sounds like it's not getting enough juice from the ignition switch.

What voltage are you showing at the coil with the switch on?

[rbar]

As said, your not getting continuous power. someone put an inline fuse in one of the wires coming off of my starter switch. Once in awhile it will blow and then it does the exact same thing, so the switch or one of the red wires would be my first spot to look.
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[Hawks]

My 60 did the same thing once in the parking lot of a gas station. The first time it had ever done that. I wiggled the wires at the switch at the coil and the starter. Then it fired right up and has never done that again.

[dtkarst]

My 66 did the same with original and new wiring Check ignition like said above and check the wires going to and from the starter to your coil, along with the one ot the battery. Turns out on my new harness, they eliminated the wire to R terminal on the solenoid.

[64shortbox]

Make sure the wires to the "S" terminal and "R" terminal are correct. If these 2 wires are swapped that will also cause what you are talking about.

[bedfordia]

Also check the resistor going to the distributorl. The ignition bypasses the resistor to give a hotter spark for starting, then switches back to the resistor to reduce power to the points. I had that happen to me and took about 2 days to figure it out

[mustangchef]

Hook a fresh hot wire directly to batt term on disturb.