Truck Wont Run - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

nroden · 05-10-2003, 08:34 PM

Well.. this morning on my way to work about 1/4 of a mile from home the truck just died.... no weird noise, just suddenly dead. We put more gas in it.
Tried to get it to start. After a little bit the starter started doing some sparking but it was a loose connection there. Got that fixed.
Checked the distributor and everything sparked like it should Plugs have about 6,000 miles on them and weren't to bad of shape. Its getting gas.
What could it be?
Timing chain?

mtdave2 · 05-10-2003, 08:49 PM

how are you sure its getting gas? are you looking down the carb and hitting the throtle?

nroden · 05-10-2003, 08:50 PM

Yep... it sprays gas when you look down in there when we have the air cleaner off.

Gordo · 05-10-2003, 09:54 PM

High mileage? IF YOUR SURE it has spark at the plugs and it's getting fuel and it has high mileage, it possible the timing chain and gears are shot.

mtdave2 · 05-10-2003, 11:31 PM

did the distribitor jump a tooth or 2?

nroden · 05-10-2003, 11:47 PM

It has a little over 93,000 miles.
My dad thinks the distributor could have jumped... theres a chattering noise when trying to start it... what could this be?
It is parked down the gravel road a little ways. Makes me a little nervous but I don't think anyone will bother it.

70c10 · 05-10-2003, 11:49 PM

does your truck have points or HEI?

nroden · 05-10-2003, 11:51 PM

points

**COBALT** · 05-11-2003, 12:07 AM

Did you make sure the contact breaker in the points is still there? If they're badly worn the truck would run, but it would backfire and run like crap.

Mark the firewall after taking the dist. cap off and pull the distributor. Make sure that gear is in good shape.

jimfulco · 05-11-2003, 03:37 AM

Points may have closed up

nroden · 05-11-2003, 09:03 AM

Going to check the coil out today.

O'l Buck · 05-11-2003, 11:44 AM

If you've got fuel and spark, the only thing missing would be compression. It's possible the dizzy jumped a tooth, but it should at least make an attempt to run, my guess would be your timing chain jumped too far.

dion · 05-11-2003, 02:45 PM

Somthing like that happed to me once, turned out to be the fuel pump.

dinnut · 05-11-2003, 04:25 PM

sure it didnt throw a rod? sometimes they can be quiet...

Dads72 · 05-11-2003, 05:13 PM

Do the lights, horn, radio etc. still work?

dinnut · 05-11-2003, 05:45 PM

i was just running mine the lower radiator hose broke. AH!

**old Rusty C10** · 05-11-2003, 08:00 PM

you said clattering noise that sounds like timing chain to me

nroden · 05-12-2003, 11:59 AM

Pretty sure its the timing chain. Got down to the point of the water pump being off last night...... almost got it apart. Then had to go to school for a concert.
Replaced the coil and the condensor and didn't help (the condensor needed to be replaced anyhow)
It sprays gas at the same times its fireing.... and it should be at different times.... when everything is closed up... so there will be compression. Has to be timing chain. Don't know what else it could be. Guy at NAPA says the original gear were plastic and my grandpa is confident it was never replaced... soooooooo. Done got the new gears and chain for $34.

nroden · 05-14-2003, 07:55 PM

Got it apart and it was not damaged at all. There wasn't anything wrong with it, all intact. The gears were metal. The chain was tight. What do you think now?

nroden · 05-14-2003, 10:21 PM

Any ideas? Why would it spray gas out the top of the carb? Why does the rotor turn slower than normal? Or how fast should it be turning? I need and want my truck back.

Lightspeed · 05-14-2003, 11:00 PM

might be a stupid idea but is it possible that you may have water in your gas? try some starting fluid or something in your carb to see if it will fire off of that.

nroden · 05-14-2003, 11:10 PM

So that I won't loose or forget what another board member told me on IM

loosen the distributor hold down clamp just barelly, just enough you can push on the vacuum advance and turn the distributor but its hard to push, turn it slightly to the passenger side (clockwise) until it turns faster, if it shoot fire otu the carb you've went to far

THIS IS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF TURNING TO SLOW

Chevyman63 · 05-15-2003, 04:32 PM

Well,.. did you get it running yet? This one has me stumped. I would have figured it to be the timing gear/gears.
Let us know when you get it, please.

nroden · 05-16-2003, 12:51 AM

Well, actually tried to crank it with timing cover off. Chain did indeed jump!!! Took of gears and chain... looked like only one 1/2 on one side of a gear were worn.... and one tooth broke. Possibly from sitting for so long??? 8 years outside.

Anyhow the gear is one of the plastic ones like the guy at NAPA spoke of. And truck has gotten to about 94,000 miles now on original 350. Got parked most of its life. Twice for long periods of time (aka years) and then otherwise was basically vacation truck and going to town truck only when a truck was needed.

nroden · 05-16-2003, 12:56 AM

Also, should I have to wires going to the positive side of the coil. I didn't remember having 2 when we went through the ignition 2 years ago at the beginning of "the project". Theres a yellow and a black one. Then of course a black on the negative.

05-10-2003, 08:34 PM	#1
nroden Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,098	Truck Wont Run Well.. this morning on my way to work about 1/4 of a mile from home the truck just died.... no weird noise, just suddenly dead. We put more gas in it. Tried to get it to start. After a little bit the starter started doing some sparking but it was a loose connection there. Got that fixed. Checked the distributor and everything sparked like it should Plugs have about 6,000 miles on them and weren't to bad of shape. Its getting gas. What could it be? Timing chain? __________________ Nick Rodenberg 72 Cheyenne 10 V8 350/TH350 white/ochre/white/ochre, ochre/saddle interior Retired and in the dry... still runs. I now drive Red '01 Ford Focus... better MPG!!!

05-10-2003, 08:49 PM	#2
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,508	how are you sure its getting gas? are you looking down the carb and hitting the throtle? __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

05-10-2003, 08:50 PM	#3
nroden Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,098	Yep... it sprays gas when you look down in there when we have the air cleaner off. __________________ Nick Rodenberg 72 Cheyenne 10 V8 350/TH350 white/ochre/white/ochre, ochre/saddle interior Retired and in the dry... still runs. I now drive Red '01 Ford Focus... better MPG!!!

05-10-2003, 09:54 PM	#4
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	High mileage? IF YOUR SURE it has spark at the plugs and it's getting fuel and it has high mileage, it possible the timing chain and gears are shot. __________________ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.

05-10-2003, 11:31 PM	#5
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,508	did the distribitor jump a tooth or 2? __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

05-10-2003, 11:47 PM	#6
nroden Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,098	It has a little over 93,000 miles. My dad thinks the distributor could have jumped... theres a chattering noise when trying to start it... what could this be? It is parked down the gravel road a little ways. Makes me a little nervous but I don't think anyone will bother it. __________________ Nick Rodenberg 72 Cheyenne 10 V8 350/TH350 white/ochre/white/ochre, ochre/saddle interior Retired and in the dry... still runs. I now drive Red '01 Ford Focus... better MPG!!!

05-10-2003, 11:49 PM	#7
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	does your truck have points or HEI? __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

05-10-2003, 11:51 PM	#8
nroden Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,098	points __________________ Nick Rodenberg 72 Cheyenne 10 V8 350/TH350 white/ochre/white/ochre, ochre/saddle interior Retired and in the dry... still runs. I now drive Red '01 Ford Focus... better MPG!!!

05-11-2003, 12:07 AM	#9
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Did you make sure the contact breaker in the points is still there? If they're badly worn the truck would run, but it would backfire and run like crap. Mark the firewall after taking the dist. cap off and pull the distributor. Make sure that gear is in good shape. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

05-11-2003, 03:37 AM	#10
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	Points may have closed up

05-11-2003, 09:03 AM	#11
nroden Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,098	Going to check the coil out today. __________________ Nick Rodenberg 72 Cheyenne 10 V8 350/TH350 white/ochre/white/ochre, ochre/saddle interior Retired and in the dry... still runs. I now drive Red '01 Ford Focus... better MPG!!!

05-11-2003, 11:44 AM	#12
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	If you've got fuel and spark, the only thing missing would be compression. It's possible the dizzy jumped a tooth, but it should at least make an attempt to run, my guess would be your timing chain jumped too far. __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

05-11-2003, 02:45 PM	#13
dion 72 Cheyenne Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,086	Somthing like that happed to me once, turned out to be the fuel pump. __________________ Burnout Idle 1972Cheyenne 1966/67Stouts

05-11-2003, 04:25 PM	#14
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	sure it didnt throw a rod? sometimes they can be quiet... __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

05-11-2003, 05:13 PM	#15
Dads72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 427	Do the lights, horn, radio etc. still work?



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05-11-2003, 05:45 PM	#16
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	i was just running mine the lower radiator hose broke. AH! __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

05-11-2003, 08:00 PM	#17
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,284	you said clattering noise that sounds like timing chain to me __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

05-12-2003, 11:59 AM	#18
nroden Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,098	Pretty sure its the timing chain. Got down to the point of the water pump being off last night...... almost got it apart. Then had to go to school for a concert. Replaced the coil and the condensor and didn't help (the condensor needed to be replaced anyhow) It sprays gas at the same times its fireing.... and it should be at different times.... when everything is closed up... so there will be compression. Has to be timing chain. Don't know what else it could be. Guy at NAPA says the original gear were plastic and my grandpa is confident it was never replaced... soooooooo. Done got the new gears and chain for $34. __________________ Nick Rodenberg 72 Cheyenne 10 V8 350/TH350 white/ochre/white/ochre, ochre/saddle interior Retired and in the dry... still runs. I now drive Red '01 Ford Focus... better MPG!!!

05-14-2003, 07:55 PM	#19
nroden Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,098	Got it apart and it was not damaged at all. There wasn't anything wrong with it, all intact. The gears were metal. The chain was tight. What do you think now? __________________ Nick Rodenberg 72 Cheyenne 10 V8 350/TH350 white/ochre/white/ochre, ochre/saddle interior Retired and in the dry... still runs. I now drive Red '01 Ford Focus... better MPG!!!

05-14-2003, 10:21 PM	#20
nroden Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,098	Any ideas? Why would it spray gas out the top of the carb? Why does the rotor turn slower than normal? Or how fast should it be turning? I need and want my truck back. __________________ Nick Rodenberg 72 Cheyenne 10 V8 350/TH350 white/ochre/white/ochre, ochre/saddle interior Retired and in the dry... still runs. I now drive Red '01 Ford Focus... better MPG!!!

05-14-2003, 11:00 PM	#21
Lightspeed Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 226	might be a stupid idea but is it possible that you may have water in your gas? try some starting fluid or something in your carb to see if it will fire off of that.

05-14-2003, 11:10 PM	#22
nroden Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,098	So that I won't loose or forget what another board member told me on IM loosen the distributor hold down clamp just barelly, just enough you can push on the vacuum advance and turn the distributor but its hard to push, turn it slightly to the passenger side (clockwise) until it turns faster, if it shoot fire otu the carb you've went to far THIS IS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF TURNING TO SLOW __________________ Nick Rodenberg 72 Cheyenne 10 V8 350/TH350 white/ochre/white/ochre, ochre/saddle interior Retired and in the dry... still runs. I now drive Red '01 Ford Focus... better MPG!!!

05-15-2003, 04:32 PM	#23
Chevyman63 Can't wait to retire!! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Corunna, MI Posts: 1,575	Well,.. did you get it running yet? This one has me stumped. I would have figured it to be the timing gear/gears. Let us know when you get it, please.

05-16-2003, 12:51 AM	#24
nroden Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,098	Well, actually tried to crank it with timing cover off. Chain did indeed jump!!! Took of gears and chain... looked like only one 1/2 on one side of a gear were worn.... and one tooth broke. Possibly from sitting for so long??? 8 years outside. Anyhow the gear is one of the plastic ones like the guy at NAPA spoke of. And truck has gotten to about 94,000 miles now on original 350. Got parked most of its life. Twice for long periods of time (aka years) and then otherwise was basically vacation truck and going to town truck only when a truck was needed. __________________ Nick Rodenberg 72 Cheyenne 10 V8 350/TH350 white/ochre/white/ochre, ochre/saddle interior Retired and in the dry... still runs. I now drive Red '01 Ford Focus... better MPG!!!

05-16-2003, 12:56 AM	#25
nroden Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,098	Also, should I have to wires going to the positive side of the coil. I didn't remember having 2 when we went through the ignition 2 years ago at the beginning of "the project". Theres a yellow and a black one. Then of course a black on the negative. __________________ Nick Rodenberg 72 Cheyenne 10 V8 350/TH350 white/ochre/white/ochre, ochre/saddle interior Retired and in the dry... still runs. I now drive Red '01 Ford Focus... better MPG!!!

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