1965 chevy c20

[longbed65droppedc20]

I was driving mu\y 65 C20 on my property when I was going to shift to 4th gear the truck stopped and now it wont start. I have recently adjusted the timing on the truck. is it possible the alt. belt slipped and changed the timing

[earl84]

The alternator belt slipping will not do anything to change the timing on your truck. Did you tighten the hold down clamp well? It may have vibrated loose and changed timing. Some more details on what engine and trans you have will help the smart guys try to diagnose your issue. BTW, I'm not one of the smart guys, just know enough to be dangerous.
Also, any other weird things happen? Has it been running poorly? Was the alternator not charging your battery before? If it's basically a stock C20, there's not a lot to make it just quit. Spark, fuel, air, and generally, it will run unless there has been a larger failure internally.

[longbed65droppedc20]

the alt. was not charging before but that was about 2 months ago its been fine since and the battery is fully charged. it is a stock 327ci. I am thinking it cold hae possibly be the gas pump? I dont know much thats why I am on here asking.

[TJ's Chevy]

It is either fuel or ignition. It is very possible if you have a mechanical fuel pump that it went out on ya. Is the tank still full of fuel? I would test the pump. If the fuel is being supplied to the carb then I would see if the distributor is loose. If so...you will have to adjust it...either by retarding or advancing the timing.

[jmack91z28]

Originally Posted by T.J. MCCAULEY

It is either fuel or ignition. It is very possible if you have a mechanical fuel pump that it went out on ya. Is the tank still full of fuel? I would test the pump. If the fuel is being supplied to the carb then I would see if the distributor is loose. If so...you will have to adjust it...either by retarding or advancing the timing.

When I started having a bunch of issues out of my dodge (I know..), I cut in a piece of clear fuel rated house and installed an inline fuel pressure gauge. Both can be purchased and installed for cheap. Makes for very quick and easy fuel diagnostics.

But yes, make sure you're getting fuel at the inlet of the carb. If you are, have someone crank the truck and watch the vents on the carb to make sure fuel isn't coming out of them, if so the you have a stuck float possibly.

I wouldn't think a loose hold-down would cause the truck to just turn off all of the sudden, it would progressively run worse and worse until it shut off you know what I mean?

[TommyDuncan]

Try pouring a little fuel into the carb and try again. Usually it will run for a few seconds and then die again if it is fuel.
Check the coil wires, the small ones and the one to the distributor cap.
Grab the distributor and see if it is loose. You can move it around quite a bit. If it struggles to turn over move it back the other way a little.
My GMC would start but die as soon as I let go of the key. It was a wire that slipped out of the bulkhead connecter in the firewall, behind the distributor. To the left of the heater/glovebox from the inside. It comes from the ignition switch in the dash. They are known to get hot and the plastic will melt, losing the ability to hold the connectors in place.
Another possibility is that the timing chain slipped if it is tired. Normally it would pop and sputter if that was the case.

[longbed65droppedc20]

I was going to check the timing and when i put my timing light and it was not turning on. i believe its the ignition coil could this cause the truck to stop running and not turn back on?

[longbed65droppedc20]

is there any way to test out the ignition coil before replacing it?

[jtrichard]

have you checked to see if you have power to the coil? check point gap? and make sure there is NO oil on the points... replace the condenser?

[longbed65droppedc20]

how do I check for power at the coil? the points are good I just checked for gap and they are clean. I am thinking of getting the condenser and ignition coil. I was hopinh the coil was still good though.

[longbed65droppedc20]

I replaced the ignition coil there is power to the coil now I Have no power to any spark plug so I checked for a spark from the ignition coil to the Dist. but nothing. Could it be that the Ignition coil that I bought be defective? I have a new condenser that sits in the dist. but have not replaced it. could this be the problem?

[jtrichard]

yes the condenser and the points trigger the coil to fire so yes replace the condenser and make sure there is NO oil on the points the slightest amount and it wont fire.... FIRST thing you should have checked is ..you should have 6 volts at coil with key in run position and 12 volts when cranking ..next new points and condenser .. the coil would be the last thing to replace they dont go out that often