Hey Guys:

I bought a 1970 F-250 from the original owner this weekend. I went to buy it on Friday and it wouldn't start. They charged the battery all night and started it on Saturday. I drove over and grabbed it. When I got home and put it in park it died right away. It won't start now. I had the battery tested and it was fine. On my ride home at stops it was choppy but I am not sure how to adjust the timing if it won't start. Any ideas?

 

If I were you I would start with replacing all the basic stuff, battery, alternater, plugs, wires. Thats just me, I like to start off fresh with that stuff and its really not too expensive. There is not telling how long the plugs have been in there and fouled plugs can really make the truck run rough or not start at all. Its a good starting point i think.

 

Before you start replacing everything do some basic diagnosis. When you say it won't start do you mean it won't crank over (battery not charged or starter going bad), or does it crank over and just won't start up (ignition bad, timing off or not getting fuel).

Once you figure out the problem you can do some basic testing. For instance, if the battery is dying how old is it? Most batteries will only last 3 to 5 years, so if there's a date on it that will give you an idea. Batteries can be load tested by parts stores for free. If the battery tests OK then you can look at the alternator, again something a parts store will test for free.

If it's cranking over but not starting, the likely culprits are ignition or fuel. Replacing plugs and points is a really good idea, both are cheap and basic. You should also look at the wires, coil, cap and rotor.

The carburetor is also something that needs to be clean to operate correctly. If the truck has been sitting for a long time then the carb probably needs to be rebuilt. The carbs on these trucks are relatively simple, if you think it's dirty inside then you need to rebuild it or if you're not comfortable doing this you can get a remanufactured unit.

Just try to spend some time assessing the problem before you replace everything; no sense in wasting your money.

 

A gasoline vehicle needs 3 things to start and run. Compression, spark at the right time and fuel in the correct proportions. Satisfy those conditions and it'll run. The smaller things, plugs, wires, cap and a clean and well adjusted carburetor all contribute to better running.

 

how did it run when u drove it home, it sounds to me like you have bad gas or water in the tank, or mabe just some varnish in the lines or carb, havew u tried hooking it up to a little gas can and running it, and try poring a little down the carb, give it a little encouragment

 

Yea, I'd put in fresh gas to, drain out the old stuff first thou. B4 you start throwing a bunch of parts at it. You should do a compression test this will give you a good idea of what your tune up will do for you. This is the first thing a shop will do. Not tune it up first and then keep throwing parts at it trying to get a miss out of it..Caused by bad valves..my 2cents..orich