Help!!! Truck will not crank!

[lamar]

Started 2 weeks ago, went out to go to the store and it would not start. Checked the basic stuff and everything looked good. Next day it fired up like normal. A few days later the same thing, wouldn't crank. That was a week ago and still not having any luck. It will turn over, but nothing more. Could it be something to do with the little junction block on the inner fender next to battery? I have checked almost everything I can think of. Any ideas ? Brake light is on but don't think that could effect it. Don't think timing has changed. Thanks in advance Lamar.

[krue]

Is it getting fuel? Is it getting fire at the spark plugs? Those are the first things to check.

[tattoo]

air, fuel, spark, it only takes these, check for burnt or corroded wires ignition, etc, plugged fuel filter. does it always have spark just no run, or is it totally dead, if its totally dead once and a while, its your pos coil wire. let us know how your doing

[byrd]

hei or points? if hei I would assume maybe the module is bad, or going bad. had some simliliar problems with the hei that was on my truck when I got it. pulled my hair out for a while and then threw that one in the trash and bought a new pro form billlet style and viola problem solved.lamar if you find that it is the hei or module I have a almost new GM module for hei in my old one that I would sell for cheap if you need it.After pulling the old hei I found the wires coming from the pick up coil to the coil were skinned and shorting out causing the ignition to fail.I think the little box by the battery is the fusible link and really should work or not.?I hope this helps some. Randy

[lamar]

Yeah it's HEI and it's getting fuel as far as I can see ( clear fuel filter at carb), believe it's geting spark, I'll have to check on that later today. Thanks Lamar.

[cdowns]

sounds to me like your engine is cranking fine// cranking is when you turn the key and the starter engages the flywheel and the engine rotates// to me it sounds like you don't have ignition first to check is spray starter fluid or wd40 down the carb than CRANK if it starts and runs briefly then dies that means u have a fuel supply problem (change the fuel filter) if with priming the carb and no start check for 12V supply at the dizzy with the key in the on position


the term cranking originated from the early 1900's b-4 engines had selfstarters a crank was inserted into the front of the engine and you had to hand crank the engine to start it// many people ended up with broken arms and dislocated shouders as well as some getting run over because they left the vehicle in gear

[lamar]

You hit the nail on the head. It turns over fine it just will not run. I will check for 12 volts at dist again now. As far as the fuel I see it in the filter moving around and also inside the carb. Should I still do the starter fluid test? Lamar.

[cdowns]

if you can see the gas sqirtin then i'd go to the dizz to check for the 12V// when this was canverted to HEI was a new power wire run?? alot of people don't run new wires causeing problems because the original wire was a resistor and only supplys 8V to the dizz and that causes the module to burn up because of lovoltage

[lamar]

I see gas in carb, so that's ok. Ran new wire for HEI when installed and also have 12 volts at dist. I guess maybe go to the module next or any other ideas?

[larry may]

How about the plastic noise eliminator Coating on the cam gear. If you have original stuff there . That plastic breaks and the engine will not start. Seldom if ever again until the cam gear is replaced. Just a thought from here. All else is not panning out for you. Could be cam gear (chain) happened to me a couple of times over the years.

[lamar]

New GM Performance 350 and rebuilt 700r4. Only thing original under hoods exhaust man., alternator, power steering pump and radiator. Lamar.

[krue]

If you have gas at the carb, then start at the plugs and work your way back checking for spark. Sounds to me like the little black box in the dizzy is bad. Take it out and go to a parts store to have it checked. If you need a new one have them check it before you leave.

[tattoo]

maybe your fuel filter is backwards? it happens!!

[tattoo]

check all grounds, remove paint for best contact, they are, if not more important the pos. leads in a vehicle. grease is not a conductor,

[byrd]

Lamar, if you find your module is bad and that is looking like it is the problem, let me know by a pm and I have a new GM(not a napa POS) that I bought about a week and a half before I changed the whole dizzy out on my truck. I think I paid about $45 or so for it at the dealership, but wouldn't want that for it. So let me know...Randy

[RicksTrucks]

I am having the same problem. It has died on me, while driving, twice. Let it set for a couple days and it is fine. Have started it a dozen times now, with no problem, but afraid to drive it and have to tow it back again. Changed out the module and that didn't help. A mechanic said it could be the star (cracked) or the wires underneath (like what byrd said). I am going to look at those, then try another HEI I have laying around.

[lamar]

Hey guys it looks like byrd was right. I put another ing. module in tonight and it fired right up like always. Thanks to all who gave me ideas and help and byrd I'll send you a PM soon, I think it would be wise to have a spare handy and I just used my spare. Thanks again, Lamar.

[krue]

Glad to hear you got it running. 90% of the time it seems that a sudden problem with cranking can be traced to the module.

[byrd]

That's great!! My truck didn't ever not start,but after it warmed up it was like driving down the road and turing the key off and then right back on, and yes everytime it did this POW big backfire. It did this to me for a month or so before I found the real problem, there were other little things I found along the way, but the module was to blame. Actually it was the wires shorting out on my hei and causing the module to go bad.I was pulling my hair out and those back fires caused my the cheap mufflers the po put on explode. Boy was that an adventure, lol Randy