The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun Wont Start...

So i have a 1953 GMC 1 ton, wont start. I've replaced the the spark plugs, ignition coil, point, ect. Took apart the carb and set it in a ultrasonic cleaner (was rebuilt sometime buy the previous owner, looks like theres some brand new parts in it) new oil filter and oil lines and I am now officially stumped... Any help?

Air, fuel, and spark.... do you have them all?
Then is the spark at the right time?

First get spark then even if the carb has problems you can pour a little gas in and it should run. Take it a step at a time from there.

Grigg

do you have spark at the plugs? are you geting fuel to the carb?

Ive got spark on the plugs, gas in the glass bowl just before the carb, but i dont know if its actually getting to the carb, and air? no idea

I've sprayed "Quick Start" in the carb but still nothing, ive killed my battery from turning it over so much so im waiting for it to charge up

If you've got spark try a spoon full or two of gas in carb.
If it wont even fire check timing and firing order.

If it did fire find out why there is no gas in the carb.

Grigg

Hy Josh_53GMC, pull out one of your plugs and crank the engine over with your thumb or finger over the plug hole, just to make sure you have compression, sometimes when engines sit the valves stick in open positions. Another thing to check is to crank the engine over with the distributor cap off, just to make sure that the cam and distributor are turning over, cam gear failures are one of the reasons why these trucks got parked in the first place. I hope that helps.

Don't use any more "quick start" or ether, there is another problem than fuel since you have fuel in the bowl it looks like fuel isn't your problem. Once it does ignite it will do more harm than good if you have it loaded with quick start. Everything sounds like all you need for it to run, fuel, spark, and compression if your thumb is getting pressure as stated above with the compression check. Timing would be the next place I would look. Make a mark where the distrubitor is now and losten the bolt just a bit and slowly move it one way or the other off the mark to see if it is slightly retarted or advanced. There is a mark on the flywheel and a marker on the bell housing to line up, if the distrubitor has been out the timing might be 180 degrees off.

Hope that helps, John

I know this sounds silly, but make sure you didn't mix up any spark plug wires. I hate to admit it, but that mistake has cost me a day of frustration before.

ok so i just double checked everything, spark wired are correct
ive got compression, poured gas down carb but still wouldn't start. so tomorrow we will check if its the distributer cap and flywheel marks ect.

Any other sugestions?

Make sure that you are not flooding the carb with too much throttle. Check your jets, make sure they aren't clogged.

Also, make sure that your points gap is close to right and not too open, along with the advanced/retarded timing. Individual little things that by themselves would hinder performance but not keep it from starting, when compounded, can cause it not to start and huge headaches. Good luck.

It sure does sound like you have narrowed it down to timing, there is an article in the tech tips here. I used it a few years ago when I had the same thing but she just wouldn't start. There is a ball or "bb" that was melted into the flywheel you can see in the hole of the bell housing right behind the starter. Take the disto cap off, turn the engine over by hand and make sure they line up. If when they line up the rotor is not pointing to spark plug wire number one it might be 180 degrees off or might be just a tooth off, you will have to pull the disto out and move it to line up. Remember the bottom of the distrubitor has a blade that fits into the slot of the oil pump, you have to use a long screw driver to move the oil pump to line up so it will drop back in. Look for the tech tip. Mine took me a few days to get right one tooth at a time. Good Luck, John

I tried looking for the tech tip article but no luck, do you have a link?

Also I have an ignition resistor to install still but dont know where it goes, any tips?

I send you a private email with some pictures and I tried to explain it to you, not sure what the resistor is for? Radio crackle? I don't use one. I don't know.

John, and Josh - the ignition resistor goes in the line to the coil +, it's to reduce voltage when running and is bypassed by a wire from the starter when cranking, it's important on a 12V system if you don't have an internally resisted coil, not used on a 6V setup - the specific wiring will vary depending on V8 or 6cyl and if you have converted a 6V to 12V

Bill

OK, Thanks Bill.

I have a 6v system so that explains why mine doesn't use one. In your pictures Josh I don't see a battery in your battery box so you will have to figure out if you are going 12 volt you will need the resistor. Also if you did go 12 volt, the coil and capasitor will have to be changed to 12 volt. make sure you did that. I think the points won't matter but not really sure.

Thanks John, i got your email. and im using a 6 volt battery so that would explain why i have no idea where the resistor goes.

Thanks for all your help

so she coughed today, started to turn over fast and then just died... she was catching gears before but now nothing. any help?

Josh, did you get your truck to start?

What color is the spark at the plug tip? If it's not a good hot spark you may not be able to ignite the gas. If that's the case a new condenser or coil might help. Make sure your points are adjusted correctly.

no, i haven't had a chance to attempt at firing her up. all i know for spark is i turned the motor over for a little bit, pulled #1 plug and the tip was hot. so im guessing she's igniting but not fully?

Pull a plug wire off and hold the end (might need to stick something in there to make contact) about 1/4" away from something metal on the engine, as you crank it over you should see a nice blue spark. No spark or a weak yellow or orange one can be a problem.

Do you have anyone you could ask to stop by and help you with this?
Not that any of this is impossible to do by yourself, but from the sounds of it you could use a helping hand from someone with a little more experience.

Grigg

ive got a good blue spark now, but if you read my other posting under the "Engine bay" i did what Bigdaddy said and still nothing. ive set TDC multiple time, once for what my manual say... twice for how big daddy and multiple other time from other people. still nothing, any sugestions?