I have a 1972 f250 with a 390 fe and c6

The truck used to be able to make it around the block every once in awhile but normally would die and then crank but never start back up and I would just let it sit and then attempt to start it every day and eventually it would start up.

Now the truck just doesn't want to start at all to the point of killing the battery from cranking it. I've been able to jump start it twice in the past month and haven't even made it down the street trying to drive it without it dying... or it will just die in the driveway. The engine now cranks very very slowly then will either stop cranking or spin the opposite direction for a bit then back the right way. I'm at a loss for what to do at the moment and really need some advice.

What I've done to attempt and fix this:
Carb rebuilt
Spark plugs replaced
New distributor, cap, and rotor
New spark plug wires
New starter
New fuel pump
Currently replacing starter solenoid and alternator (will update thread)

 

Your truck has points and condenser? Run some emery paper cross the point surfaces. Use a known good condenser. Check for a fat hot bluish-white spark at a grounded spark plug. A thin red or yellow spark is no good.

The battery may well be toast by now. Jump starting is OK in a true emergency but should always be brought back up to 100% on a battery charger as soon as possible.

 

Wow! What troubleshooting did you do before you started replacing parts?

 

I looked down the carb and pumped the throttle to verify I was getting fuel which I am. Set the timing with a timing light. Still had the starting problem so I figured I wasn't getting spark because I knew I had compression by cranking the engine with a breaker bar. Got a remanufactured distributor for napa auto parts as well as a cap, rotor, coil, all new plugs, and plug wires now I simply don't have a clue what to try next

 

Use the old school original condenser, the new ones made today mostly are NO GOOD.

Check for spark - from the coil wire to a good ground. Should be able to jump at least 1/2". Then check for good hot spark at the plugs.

 

Again check for spark till you do that you are just taking pot shots in the dark.

 

Bad gas?
you might have some crap plugging up the works. Maybe try blowing some compressed air backwards into the tank.

 

Ok so I tested for spark and it is perfect at the coil and plugs. Could this be a vacuum leak? If so where should I be checking for a leak or where do all the vacuum lines run?

 

You said you replaced the distributor. What about timing?

 

How old is your gas? Do you know the smell of bad gas when you smell it? When it won't start, shoot some starting fluid in the carb and then try. If it starts, fuel is your problem. If not, then it is spark.

Is this a points ignition? If so I recommend you convert to Pertronix.

 

timing was done and the truck had started after everything I have done so far i just haven't replaced the right things apparently

 

gas is brand new and starting fluid won't make it start

 

If it's getting spark and Starting fluid wont make it kick and the timing is correct. Only 3 options left, the distributor is 180 degrees out, the valve timing is off (timing chain jumped) or low or no compression low compression is unlikely as engines will start with compression as low as 30 or 40 PSI

 

Didn't notice this detail before - maybe the timing needs to be retarded?
Are you really, really sure it's spot on? You might try turning the dizzy a little and see what happens..
Or maybe like was suggested before, timing chain issues.
Combined with a discharged battery...

 

Good point. Check for correct distributor installation rotor lined with #1 distributor cap terminal with #1 piston at TDC compression stroke. Also check wires are connected in firing order.