engine died

[old blue]

just started my truck after sitting for a week...fired right up and then died after 5 seconds. It would not start again...it would begin to turn over with a shot of starting fluid but never did. I am getting fuel.

Can someone give a checklist of things to look for..maybe in sequence so I can narrow it down?

Here is some info on what I am running: '57 235, 12V, pertronix ignition w/ external ballast resistor.

Any help will be appreciated.

Chuck

 

[vwnate1]

RE: engine No Start

Take your spare sparkplug and unplug the _longest_ plug wire , fit the spare plug into the end of it and lay that on top of the valve cover , gap end facing the firewall so you can observe it from the driver's seat through the hood gap , now go turn the key on and crank the engine , there should be a rythmic plue / white spark ocurring , if the spark is yellow , red or no spark , there's your trouble , use a test light to ensure power is reaching the hot side of the coil , check the Ignitior connections , is the lower rotor loose or cracked etc. .


The pertronix instruction sheet gives good no spark tesing instructions , don't skip any steps , do it by the numbers .


-Nate