64 Chevy C10 - 350 small block - not starting

[elane352]

Greetings,

I thought it was time for me to pose a question on here since I have been struggling the last month trying to figure out why the truck is not starting.

Let me begin with some background

What I have done.
===========

* Replaced all wiring harnesses using American Autowire's 1960-1966 truck kit.
* Replaced the fuel pump.
* Replaced the alternator with a one-wire version. Unwired the external voltage regulator.
* Replaced the starter.
* Replaced the battery (dated 11/2017).
* Added a third brake light since the AAW kit accomodates one.
* Swapped out the old OEM gauges for a Dakota Digital version.
* Replaced the MSD 6 non-digital box with a digital version. (my lame troubleshooting effort probably resulted in me changing the old box when I did not need to do so).
* Installed a new heater core a few months ago.

What is happening when I put the key in the ignition and try to start
==========================================

* The starter turns and makes the typical starter sound. But the truck never turns over to start.


What happens when I place the key in the ACC side of the ignition.
=========================================
* Dakota Digital box LED light comes on like the instructions state it should.
* Dakota Digital Gauges
- Gas Gauge pegs a bit below half full (which I feel is an accurate reading.
- Voltage gauge reads between 12 and 12.5 volts.
* Radio comes on.
* Windshield wipers work.
* Thrift air heater makes a lot of crackling noise like before when turning the button. I just have not fixed things yet. So I am not too worried about that now.
* Head and running lights work.
* Tail lights work.
* Brake light works.
* turn signals (front and back) work.

Tonight I re-checked the wiring for the alternator and starter. It seems right based on the first two attachments. I also checked the wiring for the MSD box. I believe both are wired properly.

I have added writing attachments for the alternator/starer wiring; and the MSD so that you can see what I mean.

Regarding the MSD unit, I did not use the WHITE or GRAY wires.

Will look forward to any advice I can get.

Eddie

[Warrens69GMC]

ok, is this a new engine or one that you have already broke in, or a used engine?

[jayoldschool]

air fuel spark

Pull a plug, test for spark. Get back to us.

[Captainfab]

If the starter is turning and the bendix is kicking the gear out and the engine is not turning over, you have the wrong starter for the flywheel or flexplate you have.

[Brad54]

An old guy once gave me two pieces of advice that have proven to be the best advice I've ever gotten about the old car hobby:
1: If an engine has timing, compression, fuel and spark, it can't help but run--it doesn't have a choice. If the engine isn't running, it is one of those things. Start eliminating them one at a time, and you'll find the trouble.
2: 90-percent of all fuel issues, are actually electrical issues.
I have yet to prove that old man wrong.

The first sounds simple and basic... TOO simple and basic... but it can't be denied. If an engine doesn't run, it's one of those things. Knock them out one at a time.

-Brad

[rvrfoot]

Looks like you have starter problems.

[elane352]

My block is one year old with about 1 ,000 miles. It is new.

[elane352]

And thanks for the info so far.

[rvrfoot]

Did yiu check the starter yet?

[STRUTYOURSTUFF]

I agree with Jay old school. Air , fuel, spark. Pull a spark plug wire off and check for spark. Than move on. Is there fuel coming up from the fuel pump? I once had the pin come out of the fuel pump arm. Guess what wouldn't start. Back to basics. Good Luck. Let us know how you make out.

[Captainfab]

Fuel, air and spark will certainly make an engine run, but they will do absolutely nothing to make the engine turn over.

[jchav62]

Are you running the correct flexplate?

[elane352]

Okay gents; I plan to hit this hard and heavy starting early Saturday morning. The truck is outside of my garage so I probably will not get much done Friday evening when I get home from work due to darkness.

But I can say for sure that I installed and reinstalled the fuel pump three times previously just to feel 100% sure I had it in right, I used the hacksaw blade technique.

There is fuel within the glass fuel filter. So I felt that I had the pump on correctly and that aspect was working.

I will get one of those spark plug testers tonight and start checking for spark. I will get someone to attempt to crank the truck while I see if the tester light blinks. My understanding that is the only way to do it if you do not have a remote starter.

Also, if a starter for some reason does not have the "S" and "R" terminals marked, is it safe to assume that the "S" terminal will always be the terminal on the side of the engine block? That was my understanding.

Eddie.

[goatless]

Originally Posted by elane352

...

I will get one of those spark plug testers tonight and start checking for spark. I will get someone to attempt to crank the truck while I see if the tester light blinks. My understanding that is the only way to do it if you do not have a remote starter.

Also, if a starter for some reason does not have the "S" and "R" terminals marked, is it safe to assume that the "S" terminal will always be the terminal on the side of the engine block? That was my understanding.

Eddie.

I have a remote starter. Has 2 wired clips: One to the + battery, the other to "S" terminal on the solenoid on the starter. Those who are creative could easily create an alternative for little money. I believe HF has them for a pretty cheap price, though.

I still have the old points distributor, so I use the "R" terminal. As I understand it, HEI doesn't use it. Also, since I have a points distributor, I use the ballast resistor machine screwed to the firewall above the distributor. Again, HEI doesn't use it.

[TopFuel1966]

The unanswered question still remains: Is the engine not turning over when the starter motor is engaged? I got that impression by means of your description of the problem and I have the feeling that I'm not alone.

[padresag]

"* The starter turns and makes the typical starter sound. But the truck never turns over to start."
the engine itself doesn't turn over. the starter turns over but doesn't engage?
ron

[jayoldschool]

He says right in the OP that the starter is working, but the engine doesn't catch. At least that's my translation. If I'm wrong, it's still "air fuel spark", but after you "get the engine turning with the starter engaged", lol

[padresag]

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

He says right in the OP that the starter is working, but the engine doesn't catch. At least that's my translation. If I'm wrong, it's still "air fuel spark", but after you "get the engine turning with the starter engaged", lol

this what it says in orig post
"
* The starter turns and makes the typical starter sound. But the truck never turns over to start. "
ron

[bonestock72]

If you changed the distributor you could be 180 degrees out. You pull the number one plug and stick you thumb over the plug hole and make sure you are on the compression stroke when you drop the distributor in, point the rotor a tooth or 2 back from the number one crown on the distributor so the when it drops in and down, it lines up. Also if you're using an old harmonic balancer, sometimes they can slip throwing the timing marks off. You can check this with the #1 plug out, when the marks say top dead center, the piston has to be at the top of it's throw

[elane352]

Also regarding the flex plate question, the starter that is on there now was the one that was in place when the truck was last starting. So it and the flex plate were playing ball together at that time. It was extremely new at the time.

[jayoldschool]

Is the starter actually making the engine rotate when the starter is engaged??

[rvrfoot]

Nope

[elane352]

I took the starter off and got it tested this morning at autozone. They believe it is fine. I got a spark plug tester. That will be the next stepm

[elane352]

Step I meant to say.

[Captainfab]

So is the engine turning over or is it not?