Wobbeling first steps
 

I talked my wife into letting me buy my dream truck, a '69 Chevy short bed step side. The guy I bought it from said it just needed an alternator and it would be good to go. So I bought it "AS IS". Wrong answer. So here it goes.

The alternator didn't do it. I found out that the wiring was toast. So I got another wiring harness from the Pull A Part. It had it's problems but I was able to replace the bad wires with out a problem. I then installed it.

The starter was toast too. I got another and was having problems connecting the wiring cause the new harness seemed to have an extra wire. I think I got that figured out. Thanks to pjmoreland and his answer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=182535

BUT! it's still a NO-GO. So I'm needing help with getting this thing started. What else should I look for?

Specs:
Block numbers say its a '58 283 w/ points style distributer. Considering a swap.
4 speed transmission

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

Does the truck crank? Or just nothing. are you sure the engine isn't frozen?

Oh and Welcome to the board from Seattle!

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

It doesn't crank it doesn't do much. I have some receipts saying that the motor was rebuilt recently. However the install was a hack job. The more I look at it the more I see wrong.

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

well I would stick a socket on the end of the crank pulley and see if it turns over. I'm heading down that way this weekend, I can try and stop by and help you if I have time.

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

I'll do that.

Send me a private post with your number when your in route.

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

I just went to the garage to turn the crank and I found that there isn't a bolt in the center, it just looks like a counter bord blind hole. The pulley has 3 bolts in it so I grabbed one of those and the crank doesn't turn. But I should still hear the starter click shouldn't I?

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

Last time I tried to turn over a stuck engine the starter didn't make a sound.

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

Huh!! Thats bad news.

But I just realized that my clutch isn't disengaging either. The Push rod from under that dash is just bending when you press the pedal.

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

If it is a stick, put it in gear...3rd or 4th, let the clutch out, key off, go around front with the hood up and rock it. You should see the fan turn a bit when you are rocking it.

Pull all the plugs and it will turn over much easier.

Check to make sure you have a good battery 13 volts. Check all the fuses and check to see that you have 13 v. at the starter with the key on.

Start with all of the basics.

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

I have the truck up on stands and the drive shaft out, so that's not gonna work right now. Thanks I appreciate it.

I have just rebuilt the harness so it should be good. But I should do it as soon as I get another hand. That is one of my major challenges right now.

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

Man talk about bad luck on a dream truck :( wish I were closer as well as some of the other guys on here.

Can you try jumping the starter to see if it engages,

The older 283 does not have a center crank bolt. but if the clutch is screwy make sure it is on those stands real good before you do this and I would even put a couple extra blocks under there just to be safe.

RJ22...:)

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

Just bought a new starter and it works fine.

I ran into a 82 Camaro Z28 motor and auto trans that has caught my attention for 400 bones. I'm thinking about hitting up the finance dept. i.e. wife.

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

I mean jump the starter while it's on the truck and cut out the middle man I.E. wirering.

What engine is in the 82 camaro for 400 dollars?

RJ22...:)

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

I was thinking of that about the time you sent the post. I'll try that in the morning. Thanks.

It's a 350. It runs and has HEI so thats a plus.

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

If you do go that route I would still get every thing worked out on the 283 first just so you know.

Also if you go theat route do a search on how to change over the truck to HEI on how to change the power lead over from points to HEI. the original points power lead woill not cut it as power drop after the truck starts. Hei needs full 12 volt all the time.

There are some good write ups on here check out the FAQ's here they have alot of very good info to check out. :metal:

RJ22...:)

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

Thanks. I've been looking at these HEI conversion posts.

There is a lot of good stuff.
:flagw:

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

I ran a wire from the starter to the battery posts and the truck turned over. so it is not frozen. However It didn't start or even try to pop off.

I want to make sure that I have the coil hooked up right.

points style distributer w/ external coil (for now)

Yellow wire goes from starter "R" to "+" coil.
What happen to the "-" side of the coil?

Thanks,

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

"-" post will have a wire from dist. hooked to it. "+" post will have a wire from starter (yellow) and a resistor wire from switch. Turn switch on and check to see if you have power to coil. (yellow wire will have power only when engine is cranking).
Before you buy the '82 engine, run the #'s on it-could be a 305.

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

:agree: The numbers will tell, you can't look at a small block and tell what it is otherwise (at least I can't).

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

I didn't even mess with the old points. I bought a new $45 HEI on ebay and my 350 fired right up after 23 years of barn life. :D

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

Hey, RD, don't lose heart or hope. Keep your eye on the result you are after- that gorgeous truck in front of your place with the keys in your pocket. Mine was down this last time for a little over six months. Tonight it is sitting on the lawn below the house, freshly washed and greatly admired.
One thing you need to get used to with these old trucks is that there as always al least one more thing to do- they are never finished and 100%.
I wouldn't trade mine for anything else.
My wife likes it as well as I do :)
Welcome from scenic Tenino [south of Olympia about 20 minutes]!

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

Thanks WinDancer,

I was loosing hope but I just put my head down and got dirty.

So now it cranks! But it doesn’t start yet. I got the wiring straight. I figured out that the wiring harness that I picked up at the pull a part was from an auto, so the neutral safety switch wasn't hooked up. I just wired those together. My coil was also toast. Instead of buying a new one I just grabbed an HEI from another truck and put it on. The next problem is that my plug wires wont match up to it.

Tonight I'm going to gap my plugs and get new wires. Hopefully this rig will fire up.

Wish me luck...

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

She Cranks, She Runs, She backfires...

It's backfiring through the carb. I've searched the forum for backfiring issues, most are timing or exhaust related. Is there anything else I should look for?

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

sounds like you may have some sticky valves

Re: Wobbeling first steps
 

Yah know, that wouldn't surprise me. I hear my truck had been sitting for awhile before I got a hold of it.