76 Getting Gas, Turns But Won't Start

[mtststereo]

Hi. My 76 w/ a 302 ran fine the first week I had it, but slowly started getting more and more difficult to start. This was on and off. Somedays fine, others day NO start. It ALWAYS turns, just sometimes it starts, other times no. Sometimes it would stall once driving and if i waited a few minutes it would start, but other times when it stalled it would start RIGHT BACK UP. I guess the bottome line is:

What would cause such erratic, on again off again problems that seemed to get worse and worse over a couple weeks and now the truck won't start PERIOD.

I've:

- Checked to see that fuel is getting into carb, it is.

- Noticed the automatic choke (electric) is unplugged and top shutters on carb are permanently open.

- Replaced the Ignition Coil and Ignition Coil Socket.

I think the symptoms above , when read carefully by a more knowledgeable broncovian, should point to something.

Please help. I want to get this thing back on the road where it belongs!

Thanks!

 

[Bully Bob]

When it does run.., does it run smooth & perkey...? ...Or sluggish..?

If smooth., sounds like a loose wire on the ignition ., or maybe a bad key switch.

Remove plug-wire & see if there's an arc to ground while cranking eng. over.

 

[mtststereo]

thanks for speedy reply!

it runs smooth when it runs, but now that you've mentioned it, I should have included this fact earlier:

When I bought it, the former owner told me that the key stuck in the ignition position and didn't spring back to the run position on it's own.

So for the first week or so I know there were more than a couple times when I didn't remember to put it back myself after starting the vehicle,

I only noticed this when I would go to put lights on or wipers or signlas, which of course wouldn't work when the key was in start position.

Guess I might have damaged it huh? Is it difficult to test and/or replace key switch??

Again, thanks!

kevin

76 Green 302

 

[Bully Bob]

Simple 1 banana job...!!! /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

& pretty in-expensive.

Put a paper-clip end in that 'lil hole next to keyhole., turn key to acc. & pull key/lock out.

Un-hook bat.

Remove front benzel., drop switch down., note wire locations., swap in new switch & assemble.

Might want to replace the key/lock & you'll be sure it all good.

A remote starter switch is pretty cheap.. & you may have to run a jumper wire (pos) to the + side of coil.

That's the test I would do....... B)

P.S. it won't shut off 'til you remove the jump. wire.

P.S.S. Key-switch sticking in the "start" position can leave the starter energized.....that can damage the starter.