The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Reluctant Starting

Hi Everyone,
My truck (1942 3/4-ton special with original 216) is getting increasingly reluctant to start when cold. At this point it usually takes 10-15 times hitting the starter for 5-8 seconds before it starts. The starter just revs withs no hint of the engine even thinking about starting. Then as soon as the engine first starts to catch it starts almost immediately. Once it's running, it runs great. In fact, after all I've done trying to track down this problem, the truck is running better than ever once it starts.
What I've tried so far: I rebuilt and adjusted the carburetor (Carter YF). When I take off the air filter and look in, I can confirm a good squirt of gas from the accelerator pump. I cleaned the air filter. I cleaned & gapped the spark plugs. I replaced and adjusted (to .018") the points. I replaced the distributor rotor. I cleaned the contacts on the distributor cap. I charged the battery (6-volt). I even adjusted the valves and topped off the tires because hey, why not?
What's frustrating is that the problem is just developing out of nowhere and that the truck runs so well when it's going. The most recent change I've made is putting in the Carter carb in place of the Rochester B the truck came with, but the truck started fine with the Carter for a couple of months before this problem began.
Any thoughts?
-Jon

Check the wires between the battery and the ignition switch, between the ignition switch and the coil and between the coil and the distributor. Replace them one at a time and see if any one of them helps the situation.

Bikesmith,

What is amazing is that it will crank that many times for 5 to 8 seconds and still have poop left in the battery. Who says the starting system on these old trucks is puny!

Because you have changed the carburetor and still have the same results I would think some ignition component is slowly giving up the ghost.

I would CHANGE the points AND condenser and make sure they are adjusted perfectly.

If the plug wires look rotted or cracked I would replace them too.

If you have a helper, you can have him try to start the rig as you hold a plug wire 1/4" or so from a nice clean place on the engine. You should see a pretty good spark make the leap of faith.

Have you tried a little blast of starting fluid into the air cleaner just to see if it pops or snorts as you first try to start it.

Does the truck start fine on subsequent starts throughout the day...it's just the initial start in the morning that is a bugger.

Does the truck sit outside in moist, cold air or does it have the luxury of a cozy garage?

Stuart

Once again I must agree with Atomarc. If the starting problem is either a fuel or electrical issue then one must figure a way to test one or the other. The K.I.S.S. principle could be applied here to save a lot of work on which trouble shooting path to take. Puting a little fuel or starting fluid into the carb throat to see if it hits is a simple easy test to see if it is a fuel or fuel component (like fuel pump or fuel filter) problem. Good luck

Check to make sure you're getting voltage to the coil when the key is turned on. Since this just started you may have an ignition switch that is intermittent. You may have to jiggle it a bit to be sure it's good or turn it on/off with someone checking voltage at the coil. Good luck.

These old sixes like full choke to start, or at least that has been my experience. Once going, the choke acn be backed off. If it is turning over quickly, the motor is supplying some of the torque.

Is the starter acually turning the engine when it's cold? You say the starter just revs. It could be the starter drive is slipping when cold.