The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Stranded with the Christmas Tree

For the 1st time, my family took the truck to get our Christmas tree. It was alot of fun. The truck ran great to the tree farm and to the Dairy Queen afterwards. However, after finishing our DQ, the truck would not start. The lights came on, the dome turned on and all power seemed normal. So I didn't think it was the battery. After a jump start, it ran fine all the way home. Do you think its my battery or the alternator? Your thoughts?
It will be a Christmas we won't forget. I love that old truck!

may be the plug at the wire fall . sometimes a little wiggle there gets it all going again. time for a little cleanup and some of that dialectic grease- a possibility
ron
how did I get that backwards. should have read fire wall!!!!!!!!!!

If it happens again it could also be a bad starter. Occasionally two flats opposite each other on the commutator can go bad. When this bad pair line up with the brushes, the starter won’t spin. Bumping the solenoid a few times can sometimes jiggle the starter enough for the brushes to pick up the next good pair and the starter acts perfectly normal.

I’ve also experienced similar problems caused by loose starter case bolts (the through bolts holding it together), or a loose or dirty cable connection at the starter or the battery.

Sounds like a memorable trip.

I had a similar problem once with my '70 Nova back in the early 1980's.

It was corroded battery cable where it attached to the battery. Had enough juice for the lights and accessories, but not enough to crank the motor.

I cleaned everything up real good and it solved the problem. Eazy Peazy Lemon Squeezy

Terminals

Mine was the starter, It would start fine cold but just click when hot. Went to a heavy duty starter andit now spins like a race car.

Thanks guys. I had put a new starter on it this summer. Not a heavy duty one, but a new one. I think it might be the battery cables and/or terminals as well. At least that's what I'm hoping because of the cheap fix. I'll let you know.

If it won't engage the starter is is somthing else. No click no nothing??

could well be the starter solenoid overheating, a rest while you got to jumping it let it work again .... Chev starters are prone to bad behaviour when hot, especially the cheap ones

Bill

Normally this indicates either loose or dirty terminal connections or a dead battery, although as noted above it can also be the solenoid.

I replaced both battery cables and cleaned off the terminals. He fired up right away...it seems with a new attitude. Thanks for the input. We'll see if he keeps starting. Have a great week!

And where are the pictures?

You can have the starter and alternator checked free at Auto Zone. they also have a thing you can buy too plug into the cigarette lighter too read the electrical system. not very expensive.