1966 C20 Pickup won't start! Need some help !

[inkaddict92]

A little background of the truck:
It's originally a Cali truck that I had shipped to where I currently live in IL. It started up just fine the first day I had it here. Fast forward a week and now it won't start. It's a V8 and I think it's the larger sized V8 because the old plugs that are in it are Autolite 303's, but I'm not completely sure. Ignition, carb, and engine components should all be stock. This is my first truck I have ever owned by the way, but I have been working on vintage motorcycles for awhile now.

The old battery wasn't getting consistent charge, so I replaced it with a new optima redtop. It's a manual, so I would try cold starting by making sure the truck is in neutral, pulling the choke knob out, pump the accelerator pedal a couple times, push down on clutch pedal all the way, then turn the ignition switch. The engine definitely turns and I get a little sputter like it wants to start, but it just won't. The temperature has dropped a bit which leads me to believe I'm having carb troubles and not getting enough air or fuel. Any suggestions before I start tearing things down? I'm not familiar with the carb's linkage either, so any tips on adjusting it would help.

Here's some pics:

[chevy2tom]

Hard to tell but is there fuel in the filter? Pop the air cleaner off & manually pull the throttle to see if the carb is getting gas then check for spark. What are your plans with the truck? I'd recommend a tune up, cap rotor points condenser plugs & wires for starters. Good luck.
I'm in Illinois also about 45 minutes from you

[Slow Build]

Will it start with starter fluid?
Does it stay running if it starts?
Every once in a while mine wouldn't start until I gave it a spray.

[Mathew21]

Welcome to the board. This advice don't have much to do with your no start issue. But with the truck being from California make sure you have the proper antifreeze in it.

[inkaddict92]

Thank a lot guys, I pulled the air cleaner and sprayed it with starter fluid and managed to keep her running good. I thought there was fuel in the fuel filter too, but there was only a little, so the carb wasn't getting enough fuel for some reason. She starts up strong now though !

My plans for the truck is to keep it as a daily driver and on the weekends haul motorcycles/ dirtbikes with friends to work on them and ride. Also, hit up swap meets. I don't care much for the body, but am more concerned with having a strong reliable engine and other running components. Also need advice on what old parts to replace because they won't withstand the environment here in IL

I just bought all new Autolite 303 spark plugs. I think the recommended gap I found was .035 , but what do you guys recommend? What is the proper antifreeze I should use? What oil do you guys recommend?

Is the stock carb worth rebuilding or is there a better after market option that won't break the bank? Same question for the ignition system as well

[chevy2tom]

Keep it simple, rebuild or replace what's been working for all these years lol

[inkaddict92]

Originally Posted by chevy2tom

Keep it simple, rebuild or replace what's been working for all these years lol

haha sounds fair enough. I should have mentioned that I was thinking in terms of improving gas mileage.

Oh yeah forgot to mention that for some reason the doors won't lock from the outside with the key. I can push the handle down from the inside and it locks though, but that doesn't really help. I sprayed the lock mechanism with penetrating oil and tried pushing in on the door and I still can't get it to lock from the outside.