[Z-Money Pit]

Well, I thought the day had finally arrived. I have such high hopes of getting my truck running for the first time today. Needless to say, things didn't go as planned. Here is a recap of what went wrong:

1) The starter was working and spinning the engine for about 10-15 cranks (attempts) and now it seems to be spinning freely and no longer turns over the engine. I can hear it spinning but it sounds like it is no longer making contact with the flex plate and the engine is not being turned over.
2) The engine won't fire and the supply of gas to the carb is almost non-existent. The one time the engine turned over for about 3 seconds (after pouring a splash of gas in the carb) the gas flow to the carb increased significantly, but during the cranking sessions when the engine is being turned over only by the starter there is very little fuel flow.
3) I had sparks shoot out of the alternator when the engine briefly turned over. I think they came from where the wire is going to the terminal in the rear of the alternator. Probably a short, making contact with the engine block. I'll look further at that tomm.

The engine is a Ford 302 with a Holley 600 vacuum secondary carb. The distributor is a D.U.I. HEI unit.

What are your thoughts and ideas. Where should I go from here?

[dptyscott]

check starter to se if it is aligning with flywheel properly. you may have to shim it or change th bendix to get proper alignment. are you sure you have the fuel pump in so in engages the pump are correctly . take it out and check if not sure.

[Rambo_The_Dog]

Originally Posted by Z-Money Pit

Well, I thought the day had finally arrived. I have such high hopes of getting my truck running for the first time today. Needless to say, things didn't go as planned. Here is a recap of what went wrong:

1) The starter was working and spinning the engine for about 10-15 cranks (attempts) and now it seems to be spinning freely and no longer turns over the engine. I can hear it spinning but it sounds like it is no longer making contact with the flex plate and the engine is not being turned over.
2) The engine won't fire and the supply of gas to the carb is almost non-existent. The one time the engine turned over for about 3 seconds (after pouring a splash of gas in the carb) the gas flow to the carb increased significantly, but during the cranking sessions when the engine is being turned over only by the starter there is very little fuel flow.
3) I had sparks shoot out of the alternator when the engine briefly turned over. I think they came from where the wire is going to the terminal in the rear of the alternator. Probably a short, making contact with the engine block. I'll look further at that tomm.

The engine is a Ford 302 with a Holley 600 vacuum secondary carb. The distributor is a D.U.I. HEI unit.

What are your thoughts and ideas. Where should I go from here?

First fix your wiring problem. sparks flying out the alternator (or anywhere else) is not a good thing!

Your starter is probably shot. It sounds like the starting gear is not being kicked out on the shaft. Luckily these aren't too expensive - always good to have an extra anyway.

Fuel Flow is easy - get an inline pressure gauge - or a vacuum gauge and a t-fitting. pull the coil wire out so it won't start and crank the car over. You should read around 3-6 pounds of pressure. If not your fuel pump is weak or you have some blockage issues somewhere in the lines. Also it does take a bit for gas to get to the carb when a rig has been sitting a while.

[cool rockin daddy]

Aaaaaahhhhhh! Do you want to wipe out your cam lobes? Your cam needs the engine to fire IMMEDIATELY so oil can splash up on the cam. Go over your wiring and get it corrected. Repair the starter. FILL the fuel bowls on the carb, don't just pour gas down the venturis (it sounds like that is what you did, if you didn't I apologize). Make sure your fuel pump is working properly. DON'T keep cranking that engine over if is not ready to run, you will be replacing the cam in no time!

[badsam56]

Originally Posted by Z-Money Pit

Well, I thought the day had finally arrived. I have such high hopes of getting my truck running for the first time today. Needless to say, things didn't go as planned. Here is a recap of what went wrong:

1) The starter was working and spinning the engine for about 10-15 cranks (attempts) and now it seems to be spinning freely and no longer turns over the engine. I can hear it spinning but it sounds like it is no longer making contact with the flex plate and the engine is not being turned over.
2) The engine won't fire and the supply of gas to the carb is almost non-existent. The one time the engine turned over for about 3 seconds (after pouring a splash of gas in the carb) the gas flow to the carb increased significantly, but during the cranking sessions when the engine is being turned over only by the starter there is very little fuel flow.
3) I had sparks shoot out of the alternator when the engine briefly turned over. I think they came from where the wire is going to the terminal in the rear of the alternator. Probably a short, making contact with the engine block. I'll look further at that tomm.

The engine is a Ford 302 with a Holley 600 vacuum secondary carb. The distributor is a D.U.I. HEI unit.

What are your thoughts and ideas. Where should I go from here?

If I had to guess, check to make sure you have a good ground to the engine. Especially since you're getting sparks from the alt.

[DoubleVision]

This thread is 3 years old.

[kleen56]

Ha ha ha ha... Hey Doublevision, I wonder if he's been able to start it yet?

[DoubleVision]

I sure hope so at this rate lol

[badsam56]

You know that feeling when you step into something smelly? Well I feel like that right now. I didn't even pay attention with when it was started. LOL