A little Help 1979 c-10

[mwalker13]

Alright heres the problem I have a 1979 c-10 305, 400TH, I am getting good spark and fuel but truck just wont turn over. already checked everything I could think of, wires,plugs,rotor,fuses,timing on number one plug TDC compression and then even turned it 180 just to make sure wouldn't turn over ether way. Any help would be great. just out of ideas, besides a planter or target practice

[Ron 586]

Let's make sure we're on the same page. When you say won't turn over are you saying the engine don't do anything or it don't start and run. A little history on the truck please. Have you had it long? Have you ever heard it run or did you buy it not running. Turned it 180, I assume you are talking about the distributor. Will try to help once I know what you're talking about for sure.

[dswancutt]

I would check the HEI module in the distributor. I have the exact same thing with my 78. Engine turns over, has fire at the plugs, but will not fire. I think mine may be weak and not providing enough fire to start.

[mwalker13]

Ok the engine turns over but will not start, truck was running but now it is not, have been through the whole electrical system trying to chase the problem, new hei modual, cap , rotor, plugs, starter solenoid. correct me if I am wrong but I always thought that if you are getting a good spark and there is gas in the cylinder, it should at least try to start when it turns over just dosent sound like any combustion is happening

[mwalker13]

Originally Posted by dswancutt

I would check the HEI module in the distributor. I have the exact same thing with my 78. Engine turns over, has fire at the plugs, but will not fire. I think mine may be weak and not providing enough fire to start.

I am getting a very strong blue white spark, module is new

[boatpuller]

are you getting gas?

[mwalker13]

Originally Posted by boatpuller

are you getting gas?

yup getting gas , even tried starting with starter fluid

[dswancutt]

Originally Posted by mwalker13

I am getting a very strong blue white spark, module is new

Sounds like we are both in the same boat then. Hopefully someone has an idea.

[mwalker13]

Originally Posted by dswancutt

Sounds like we are both in the same boat then. Hopefully someone has an idea.

nah I dont like boats they are to much trouble, haha

[piecesparts]

Did you replace the pick-up coil under the rotor, in the distributor? The distributor has to be removed and taken apart to do this. I had this on my Son's truck and that was the culprit. This is the unit that is mounted on the bottom (by the HEI module) and it goes around the shaft.

[mwalker13]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

Did you replace the pick-up coil under the rotor, in the distributor? The distributor has to be removed and taken apart to do this. I had this on my Son's truck and that was the culprit. This is the unit that is mounted on the bottom (by the HEI module) and it goes around the shaft.

ok will test it out with the ohm meter and see if this may be the culprit, thanks

[mwalker13]

ok checked out pickup coil , tested infinity ohms and 850 ohms which is in the good range thanks for the idea tho

[magnethead]

so you are getting spark, air, and fuel, all at the same time, but it's not trying to start or sputter?

You sure that the valves are doing their job?

[mwalker13]

Originally Posted by magnethead

so you are getting spark, air, and fuel, all at the same time, but it's not trying to start or sputter?

You sure that the valves are doing their job?

I would hope so

[marvxyz1]

If you didn't flood the motor, you might check compression, and then check the timing.

[mwalker13]

Originally Posted by marvxyz1

If you didn't flood the motor, you might check compression, and then check the timing.

checked compression and timing is sitting dead on, pulled the carb today and Think I might have found the prob couple clogged ports, think it was starving the engine, and then I was flooding from pumping the gas trying to get fire, we will find out tomm

[lurch115]

if you are using the factory air cleaner...check to make sure the tube isn't plugged....and make sure that the screws for the coil aren't sticking through the underside of the cap as it will ground out the coil....not always on all cylinders, but enough to keep it from starting....its one of the most over looked problems with the HEI caps as they had a few different coil designs....

[mwalker13]

Originally Posted by lurch115

if you are using the factory air cleaner...check to make sure the tube isn't plugged....and make sure that the screws for the coil aren't sticking through the underside of the cap as it will ground out the coil....not always on all cylinders, but enough to keep it from starting....its one of the most over looked problems with the HEI caps as they had a few different coil designs....

rebuilt carb yesterday "edelbrock 600" and think I found the prob, I think the float was sticking and flooding out, but will find out today, HEI cap is locked down tight, the design is pretty much fool proof. But Thanks

[mwalker13]

ok latest update, got ecm checked and got new hei harness, reset timing just to make sure, got truck to fire up for about 5 min and then it died and cant get it to fire up again, tired of charging battery, tired of messing with it for now, btw truck is now for sale