VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Trucks and Vans My truck won't start

I was trying to get my '40 running today and it wouldn't start. It had no keys so I put the coil and ignition out of my once running '39 in it along with a rebuilt starter and new battery and it just would not start as if it wasn't getting any spark. Any suggestions?

No spark?? How 'bout the COIL???

Bill.

"...as if it wasn't getting any spark"

So, you aren't sure if it's getting spark? Be certain before going any further. If there is no spark definitely check the coil as well as the usual suspects such as plug wires, good distrib connections, etc. It may also be the fuel system - fuel pump, carb.

Go with the basic stuff before looking too deep. It may be a real ez fix.

Good luck!

Jim's advice is very sound.

This reminds me of a thead in here a while back where the poor guy practically tore the whole car apart only to find out the 'problem' was some 'simple little thing.' Sorry, but I don't remember the exact situation.

You know, kind of like the 'KISS' theory. (Keep It Simple Stupid!) I'm NOT calling anybody stupid, I'm just using the thought you might say.)

It seems all to often 'we' head straight to the more complex stuff and overlook the simple stuff.

Bill.

Well, the coil is out of my '39 and it ran before I took it apart. The plug wires are new, and I cleaned up all of the connections. The fuel line isn't hooked up, I just ran a rubber hose into it and pour a little gas down it before I try to start it. I pulled one of the plugs out and turned the motor over while watching the plug and I couldn't see any spark. I have thought of all the simple things and just can't figure it out. What the heck?

Bob,
Make sure your distributor points are clean and properly adjusted and the condenser in the distributor is good. The points can get corroded especially if it has been sitting for a while without being run.
Good Luck!
Ed

Hey 42Bill, thanks for forgetting it was me that went through that whole proess before finding out it was the simplest solution.

That's why I wanted to let Bob know that it may be a real simple thing. It now sounds like it may be in the dist or condenser like UncleEd points out. You may want to make sure the points are set correctly for this different application as well. The gap may need to be reset.

Good luck.

I sure didn't mean to give anybody any 'smart mouth' but it really does seem like many of us are 'guilty' of overlooking the 'simple' possibility.

Obviously we're not always lucky enough to have the problem turn out to be something 'simple' but it's sure worth it to 'try' that first, whatever 'that' might be.....

Apache Hauler Jim, there's usually so much going on in here that I can hardly ever remember who said what....

Bill - No problem at all. I was actually pleased that my name was not linked to my over extended, unnecessary efforts!! My point here was that, even though I went through all of that with my electrical system, I came very close to making a whole lot of extra work for myself again. And, only a few weeks after I swore it wouldn't happen again.

Let's hope Bob finds the easy solution to this problem.

Thanks for not 'misinterpreting' my thoughts.

It is amazing what 'we' can do to ourselves with extra work and all, huh???

Agreed, let's hope Bob's problem works out well!!!

Bill.

Well, my problem isn't solved completely, but it's very close to running. I finally got back out and was tinkering with it today. I pulled out the plugs and turned it over to get the oil going and realized that only 1 cylinder had good compression! I pulled the valve cover off and 5 valves were stuck open. So with a little penetrating oil and convincing 3 of them came loose, but 2 are still stuck. I sprayed them down real good so I'm hoping they'll be free tomorrow. But who knows!