it just won't turn over

[whitesswj]

Originally Posted by hdandd

I tried holding the gas down for a while.
I just got back from having the module tested.
I'm checking the coil now.
it acts kinda of like one cylinder fires but none of the others...
So cap and rotor maybe?

So I'm guessing the Module was ok? Coil?

[hdandd]

Coil is good..

Any other ideas?

[hdandd]

Next idea?

[c10chevy69]

Do you have another module or distributor to try in it? I had the same problem awhile ago. I got a couple of distributors from a guy selling used parts and it fired right up. Never changed the module just changed out the whole thing. I also when and had my module tested and they said it was fine. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Willys47]

what about the cap is it ok I have had the carbon pin for the coil fail and give me problems.a new rotor and cap were needed.Now if the spark is good it then needs fuel and air air is easy so check for fuel.

[hdandd]

I checked for fuel and it was good, i just put a new msd cap and rotor in a second ago and still have nothing except an empty wallet

[hdandd]

i guess change the distributer?

[whitesswj]

Is the dizzy turning???
I had a very similar problem not a few weeks ago and it was timing!
Check the timing. Maybe the dizzy moved a bit and now it's out of time.

[richards72chevy]

Have you tried charging the battery?My 72 was turning over showing a lite blue spark but not starting put the battery on a trickle charger then it started.

[kevmic28]

I had an issue last month where mine would turn over but a little slower than normal but not start. Turned out to be a bad starter. The starter was pulling to much power draining all available power.
Have you tried jump starting it off another car? Mine would start by jumping it off another car until I could get to replace the starter.

[hdandd]

Yeah i charged the battery.

What about the pick up coil?

[mr48chev]

Ok a little bit of good advice and a lot of wizzing in the wind trying to look like they know something about engines. Guys if you can't give good advice don't pipe up at all.

Check the charge on the battery as Richards72Chevy suggested. It may have enough power to crank the engine over but not enough to give a good strong spark to be able to start in cold weather.

My experiences with HEI modules tell me that they either work and are ok or don't work and are bad. There is no almost bad or almost good with these units they are either good or bad. There is however a great difference in the quality of these units and usually one wants a Genuine Delco unit or a top of the line Napa Echlin unit rather than the discount store ones. Also make sure that you coat the back of the module with silicone dielectric grease to help act as a heat sink and prevent killing it prematurely.

Make sure that you have 12 volts to the distributor. Pull the wire off the distributor and with a multimeter check the voltage with the key on. If the previous owner used the original ignition wire without cutting the resistor wire out of it you will not have a full 12 volts to the distributor.
Most of us here on the forum have bypassed that wire and run a 10 gage wire from one of the keyed posts on the fuse block


That will give a full 12 volts to the HEI when the key is on.

Also check your timing to make sure it is correct.

I run pretty much the same setup in my 71. 350 engine, HEI from Scott White, Edelbrock 600 carb with electric choke and Edelbrock performer intake. even in 15 degree weather last week it was Hit the pedal one time to set the choke and hit the switch to start the truck.

And last but not least remember that unlike a modern car or truck with fi these trucks all seem to have their own little idiosyncrasies and quirks and no two react exactly the same.

[rustyrodknocker]

you need to be clear when you make a statement if you want help troubleshooting. crank does not mean start. so if the engine turns fine on the starter then state that. answer the questions asked, you can quote them in your post. 1. is your distributor loose or is it tightend down properly? when an engine with a loose distributor stops it can kick it out of time. 2. did you check the voltage to the distributor? you asked how. if you are in doubt or do not have the tools you can run a temporary wire from the positive battery post to the distributor. then try to start it with the key. IF YOUR ENGINE STARTS YOU WILL HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE WIRE TO SHUT IT OFF. 3. Do you know how to identify the distributor internal parts? module. pickup coil. magnetic pickup. if you are at all unsure. say so. you stated the module and coil tested good. my next post will have a short pickup coil story. 4. you did not answer the question about open vacuum ports. if an engine stops suddenly from high idle it can kick back or (diesel) and let combustion pressure in the intake side and blow off caps or hoses. please answer these questions.

[BAGNDRAGIT]

i just went through this, i had spark, but it was erratic. i also had the electronic unit. i ended up going back to points and she fired right up. i had to buy a points dizzy (20 bones at a yard) for the points baseplate and then new points and condenser (12 bones) and that was it. i never trusted the electronic setup. i would go HEI if i were you.

just my $0.02

heres the test for the module btw

[rustyrodknocker]

pickup coils. I had a distributor that would fire on the bench but not in the engine. everything had been swapped out one at a time. no change. pickup coil tested positive for continuity. in and out in and out. take apart put together. then I noticed a small flat spot in the pickup coil wire. I could tell that it had been pinched since it left the factory. after 30 years it was finally bleeding voltage. it was grounded. but only while in the engine. Why because I was testing the distributor while it was laying on its side on the bench. no pressure on the pinch. this is the stone truth. after two days of this I'm livid and say to my self "how can it work like this but not like this". turning it 90 degrees back and forth. because it does'nt know when it's in the motor or not. wait a minute. spun it while holding vertical. as it would be in the engine... dead. horizontal... live. so after close inspection I found the pinch. a whole weekend shot, but a lesson learned.

[imholte]

Bad starter?

[hdandd]

I check the power to the dizzey it was 12 volts.

I also switch to a brand new msd set up that i got for $115...

Still won't start.

[red71cheyenne]

If you have fire, air and fuel, that only leaves timing. Put it at TDC on number one cylinder and pull the distributor cap. Is the rotor pointing at number one plug wire? If so, make sure all the wires are on the right plugs and are in the right order on the cap. If the rotor is pointing at one and you have air, fuel and fire, it should start up.

[rick0312]

did you try to jump start it?(i am sure you did) you said u charged the battery is it holding the charge?, if it is bad it won't put out enough cranking amps. i would suspect it is the battery or bad solenoid/starter before i worry about timing and dizzy's......good luck


("Guys if you can't give good advice don't pipe up at all")
mr48chev I respect your experience, but maybe a little hard on the guys trying to help another board member out. Afterall, we all can't be as knowledgeable as some or we would not need this priceless forum in order to grow and learn.

[hdandd]

Originally Posted by rick0312

did you try to jump start it?(i am sure you did) you said u charged the battery is it holding the charge?, if it is bad it won't put out enough cranking amps. i would suspect it is the battery or bad solenoid/starter before i worry about timing and dizzy's......good luck

yes i did charge the battery and it is holding the charge fine I put it in last feb. It is a Duralast gold, witch has the most cranking amps.

And right before Christmas I changed out the starter solenoid.

[rick0312]

i know you said that the starter is turning the flywheel, but does it seem that it is turning slower than normal? If all other systems check out and she is cranking a bit slow I would replace the starter. Or at least pull it and have it checked at your local parts place.

[hdandd]

thats a good thought, I will pull it and have it checked tommrow

[rustyrodknocker]

Originally Posted by rick0312

did you try to jump start it?(i am sure you did) you said u charged the battery is it holding the charge?, if it is bad it won't put out enough cranking amps. i would suspect it is the battery or bad solenoid/starter before i worry about timing and dizzy's......good luck


("Guys if you can't give good advice don't pipe up at all")
mr48chev I respect your experience, but maybe a little hard on the guys trying to help another board member out. Afterall, we all can't be as knowledgeable as some or we would not need this priceless forum in order to grow and learn.

I think some of the less experienced, do not at all understand the troubleshooting of an automotive problem. if you do not have valid info then do all parties involved a favor and do not clog up the help thread. like this one already is. this is more stuff for someone who is willing to help and has the knowledge to sort through. furthermore when someone gives you their time because you asked for it, show some respect, think about whats said and confirm with I did that or not. this gives needed info to the experienced people so the process can move foward. there have been several people post here that could make that truck run in an hour or less. just through process of elimination. if you have to have instant gratification then old cars are not for you.

[hdandd]

Finnaly got it running ended up being the timing chain

[sjarrett71]

Originally Posted by hdandd

Finnaly got it running ended up being the timing chain

Glad you got it going.