The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop suddenly died

Just started the truck after sitting for a week...fired up and ran for 5 seconds and then died. It would not start again. This has never happened before. It would begin to turn over with a shot of starting fluid but never catch. I am getting fuel.

I did a search, but could not find info I was looking for ( checklist of things to look for and in what order to look ). Here is what I am running:
'57 235, 12V, pertronix ignition, external ballast resistor.

Being a novice any help with a checklist of things to look for will be a great help.

Get a voltage test light and start at the battery and work your way to the ignition switch, coil etc all the way to the spark plug. Some where along this path you'll find the problem.

hey blue 50,
I got a 1953 with a 56' 235. If I was in your shoes I would try the following....

1. make sure allwires are connected.spark plug,coil, ect...also make sure the distributor cap is on securely.check distibutor points with a feeler gauge should be set at 0.18.
2 get someone to turn over the engine take off the first spark plug wire CAREFULLY(off the distributor) and hold it about 1 inch over top of the opening for it to go into and there should be a click click click with a spark between them. this should indicate if you are getting fire or not.
3 mke sure you are getting gas from fuel pump to carb. gas tank to fuel pump.
4check for fowled spark plugs.
5take off valve cover and look at the valve train. make sure all parts are moving freely.

P.S we almost have the same name!!! GOOD LUCK!!

well gave it one more chance to start...had my better half spray starting fluid while cranking and it started with no problem!?!? continued to idle fine without choke so I decided to take it for a drive. Drove about 15 miles and along the way shut it down, went in to the hardware store, started back up no problem and drove home...WTF?

I forgot to mention that a couple of weeks ago while I was driving in town about 45mph, the engine stopped running...I pulled over and it started right back up and then no problem until today.

I have also recently put a new fuel pump on along with new lines and filter. Think that might be what's up? Is the pertronix heading south?

It,s probably the module in the Petronics. If you can conferm that it is not getting spark when it acts up that most likely the cause.

Based upon what everyone's said, I have to agree with Wrenchbender.

It sounds like your dizzy's going.

Either that or you've got a bad wire somewhere.

I thought that when it went (pertonix), it went and for good. no warning.

Took a closer look at my wire set and the coil wire seems to loose at the dizzy. It doesn't snap in and out like the plug wires. maybe that is the problem? I'll replace and let ya guys know.

Try wiggling the key in your ignition switch including partial turning of the key & see if the engine stops. It's fairly rare but on occasion a switch starts to go "bad" in that fashion. The key to look for is the inconsistancy, runs one time and not another then runs again.

try not to use the starting fluid to get it restarted, bad on the rings. wd40 will fire it off. and no side afects. get a timing light that clamps around the sparks plug wires and hooks to the battery for power and the next time it quits use the light while cranking to see if you are getting any fire.

super250six