I have a F-100 1976 with the 360 v8 and need help. The engine will not crank cold but if the weather is warmer it will fire right up. What could be the issue??

 

When you mean cold do you mean a cold engine or cold temperatures outside?

Is the choke working on the carb?

Some more detail will help members. What is the condition of the engine? Miles, compression etc...

Later, Shortbox4x4

 

I doesn't want to start when its cold outside. Just rebuilt the carb. Looking at about 150,000 miles on her. Like this morning wouldnt crank when it was around 40F but this evening around 75F it would fire right up and run.

 

Christopherlh84,

Welcome to FTE
How old is your current battery? might just be a little tired.
You might be in need of a new battery with a higher CCA (cold cranking amps) also if the cable from your starter solenoid to the starter
is the original go ahead and up grade to a newer heaver one, to improve electrical flow to your starter.
another thing to check and most people may not (or may) consider is oil grade,
meaning running one that is to thick,
anyways once again welcome and keep us posted as to you progress

 

It has a new battery. the thing is it will turn over but will not start.

 

Does she turn over as fast on a cold (40*F is cold?) morning as she does in the 75*F afternoon?

Recheck all the ground connections.

Do you get a squirt of fuel down the venturi when blipping the throttle....when cold?

Tomorrow am - when cold (or right now while it's still hot out), get yer DVOM out and check the battery voltage before trying to start 'er up. Make note of it, and then do the same thing when it's warmer. Let us know the results.

 

I will check battery tomorrow and let you know what happens. And yes i am getting fuel even on a cold start.

 

Probably cheap and corroded battery cables and crappy connections.

.

 

Yepper. New cables all around are pretty inexpensive and make all the difference in starting, as well as charging. Grind down to bright shiny metal on the block where the main ground cable from the battery terminates. 1976 was a long time ago. The solenoid needs a good ground connection too, or the starter will tend to stick.

 

Welcome to FTE! Lots of good people here often willing to help. Make sure to read the "tips" at the top of the page and to join your local chapter.

And post pictures...lots of pictures!

My guess on your starting issue is electrical-as in bad wires/connections. Everybody says to check or replace the lead from the solenoid to the starter, but the ground from engine block to battery is just as important

 

Sorry for the late response work was crazy today. But this morning went to start the truck and the battery was completely dead. It's was only a few months old so I don't know what happen. Put a new battery in and it seems to start slot better now will see in the morning. Also gonna have the alternator check to see if it's doing it's job.

 

Super easy to check both the alternator and the voltage regulator yourself with just a digital multimeter and a jumper wire.

With the engine off, check the voltage at the battery. Probably be under 12.5v. Fire the engine up. Voltage should be 14-14.5ish. If not, it's not charging.

If it's not charging, it's likely either the alternator or the voltage regulator. There are many YouTube videos that will demonstrate testing the voltage regulator with a jumper wire. Jumper those two leads. If the truck starts charging, the problem was the voltage regulator. If the truck doesn't start charging, it's likely the alternator

But even if both the voltage regulator and alternator test good, it's possible for the alternator to have an internal short that causes the battery to drain.

Also, any shop that sells batteries probably has a load tester and an alternator tester. They generally test for free.

Do yourself a favor and pull the battery cable tonight so you don't have a dead battery in the morning!

 

Next time it won't start in the cold, remove the air filter assembly and look at the choke. It should be all the way closed. My guess is that it won't be. If you can get it closed, I'll bet it will start right up.

 

I had a Ranger that would not start if it was damp out. it was the coil wire