I have a restored 1948 Chevy 3/4 Ton truck, with a 216 motor and a 6V system.
Before I received this truck, the previous owner had trouble starting it. He had it "Fixed" and it seemed to start and run really well. During the "fixing" he had used a 12V jump box several times. The truck transporter had also used a 12V jump box and even charged the battery with 12V.
When I received the truck, I put a brand new 6V battery, and a new starter motor in it. I replaced the fuel filter that was placed directly outside of the fuel tank.
I was able to start it right up with no problems. After I did the brake job, I drove the truck for 20 minutes, turned off the truck at a gas station, filled the tank, then started her up and drove to my house and around the block for another 30 minutes. It drove so smoothly! The engine sounded like it was brand new! I parked it on my driveway and shut it off. Later that day I decided to take my wife around the block and the truck would not start.
When I tried to start it, it cranked, I heard it fire then it immediately shut off. No amount of cranking and gas pedal would get it to fire again. I thought I may have flooded her so I left her alone for a few hours then tried again.
It cranked, it fired for half a second, then nothing. I decided to check the plugs because Tom Langdon had told me that 3 carbs on an Offenhauser is way too much fuel for a 216. I thought my plugs would be all fowled up. They were! So I replaced the plugs with new ones.
Again... Same result. I crank, it fires for a half a second and then nothing... I sprayed a little fuel into the center carb.. still nothing. I then tried my spark tester. It sits in series with the spark plug wire and the plug itself. When I crank I see the light come on in the correct firing order. I thought the light was awfully dim so I decided to replace the coil and condenser with new ones. Again... same result. I crank, it fires for half a second, then nothing. No matter what I do after that I get nothing. I must let it sit for a while before I can crank and get a quick firing...
I have the original single carb intake manifold. I am having it cleaned up by an automotive machine shop. I plan on replacing the 3 carb setup with a single carb setup. I don't want to do any of this until I get this car running again. I don't want to introduce more variables.
Any help getting this thing running again would be greatly appreciated.
