The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1965 c10 - turns over, not starting

So, I went out to go to work last night, jumped in the big blue truck, hit the switch and it turned over, but would not crank.



1965 Chevrolet C10

1992 engine block and accessories, no ac

hei distributor (cap and rotor last replaced in 12/2004 by mechanic)

Carburetor: Holley - Model 4160 - single pumper 600cfm.

Intake: Edelbrock Standard Performer - Dual Plane


will turn over, will not crank

electric fuel pump is on

fuel spraying into the carburetor, visual confirmation

battery is good(12.64 with multimeter and it is a year old)... but just in case...

jumped it off with another vehicle, starter spins engine over fine, does not hit at all

I checked, with the multimeter each fuse on the panel for voltage passing through...


I had a blown fuse on the panel on the firewall, under the dash, replaced it, has not blown again, but no change.


power is going from the firewall engine harness plug to the hei (checked with a multi meter)

I checked the ground from the battery to the frame and the body... good.

I popped the cover off of the hei pack on top to see if maybe it was toast, no scorched wires or electrical funky smell.


I did pull the cap off and the point/contact things in there have some of that white oxidation on there, so I am cleaning that off before I put it back together.


With the blown fuse and a burned electrical smell from last night, I am leaning towards a electrical issue of some kind... a broken wire or something.

I'm kinda running out of things to check.

If any of you have any ideas, feel free to make suggestions.

Thanks.

-W

update one:

okie dokie... I cleaned up the inside of the cap, put it back on... nothing.

I pulled out the no 1 spark plug, turned it over and I had a spark.

hmnn... ?

-W

if it would not crank sounds like maybe it's the starting circut. you may be barkin' up the wrong tree with the ignition circut. you could wire up a jumper from the battery to see if it's the starting circut wiring. if you can get the starter to crank it's prob the wiring. hope i didn't misunderstand you said it would turn over but not crank. you could also wire a jumper to the hei dist since it takes 12 volts i think, but if you are getting enough fire to the plugs don't think that would help.

Make sure you tell the rest of us what you find Woo. Truck only needs 3 things to run. Fuel, Air, and a spark, all at the right time of course. You've said you're getting fuel to the carb, and fire in the wires at the plugs. I doubt the burnt fuse you found had anything to do with it not running, or it would have burnt it out again right away. And if it was running fine before this episode, it'll most likely be something minor that you just can't put your finger on right away. Someone out there will chime in soon and get you back to getting your face in the wind. Keep your chin up...it makes a better target.
Tramp

sorry, after rereading your post you said it spun the starter fine when jump starting it. if you are getting 12 volts to coil and fire at the plugs what could it be besides timing is off? did you try any starting fluid to rule out gas related stuff?

I tried a little starting fluid.

I ran 12 volts directly to the HEI from the battery... no go.

I am suspecting the engine module on the HEI, under the rotor.

My plan right now is to take it off and have it checked at the parts store.

A pal of mine said he had a similar issue with a gm hei on a v8, where he had spark, but it would not run. He had some wiring issues going to the engine module.

My dad had a similar issue in a 1991 chevy truck he had one time, the engine module just went 'poof' and when it did it melted a lot of other stuff.

If that is not the issue, then I am really at a loss as to what it might be at this point.

Thanks folks,


-W

Not knowing any more about the 92 engine. There has been a few times many years ago that in turning the motor over to start, and priming the @#&# out of the motor. I've washed the oil of the cylinder walls. Squirt a couple of shots in each cylinder and give that a try.

Larry

pics

I had the module tested at the parts store... they checked it twice, it passed.

I went through everything and cleaned up the connections on everything I could find, put it all back together and it cranked on the first try.



Now, I'm really confused.

Anyway, I snugged all the bolts and connections down and I think I'll take it for a shakedown run.

Thanks a whole bunch for the replies folks, I tried and checked everything ya'll mentioned.

-W

Pull off a plug wire and grasp it firmly it in your hand, have someone crank the engine. You will know immediately if you have an ignition problem.