magnolia,
Boy are you unlucky, it's usually the cold start that's the tough one. Have you ever done the mega-pump routine, maybe even with choke, and looked behind the truck to see a huge black plume coming from the tailpipe.
Even if the fuel pump were on the fritz, there is enough fuel in the bowl to run the truck for some time. If you do the multi-pump thing and the truck does start, but doesn't cough and
exhibit signs of flooded starting, then it is obvious it was shy on fuel.
There is something funky in Vancouver..this 2 plus 2 doesn't equal 4. If you can look down the carburetor the next time this happens and verify that the accelerator pump is working you could narrow your search.
You should not be able to start the truck using your method if there is ANY fuel in the carburetor. If there is no fuel in the carburetor, it must have leaked out..internally or externally. This isn't likely.
I think I would be inspecting Mr. Ignition with a microscope. This is a '58 so it is probably 12 volts (?). Does the starter spin the rig nicely when it is warm...
You said when you do this routine, "it might work"..what does the truck do if it doesn't work?
Stuart
