My "new" 1970 won't start

[Mobious]

Hey, everyone. New to the site. Yesterday I bought my first Bronco, a 1970 w/ a 5.0L Mustang V8, 3-speed manual, Jet carb, magniflow exhaust, Detroit lockers, 3.5 lift and 2.5 body kit, and 35" BFG pro comps. Very excited, as I have wanted a EB for a long time and have been looking around SoCal recently. I am stoked with the one I found.

Anyway, I picked up the truck yesterday and it started strong. Stopped for gas on the way home (thought I would practice that activity early and often) and again it started up quick. Came home, took off the top, and again restarted no prob. Probably started it 4-5 times in the first 2 hours I had it. No problem. Drove great.

After it sat in my driveway in 60 degree sunny weather for about 20 minutes I tried to start it again. Cranked well, but would not turn over. Not really very close. It smelled like it was getting gas. I put some in the carb, but that didn't help. The spark plugs are about 2 years old. I checked the wires between the plugs, distributor, and coil. Nothing was loose. I pulled off one of the wires and held it near the block while cranking to see if I could see a spark, but the boot on the wire was too big. The battery seems strong, but I am charging it right now just to make sure. I let the truck sit for a few hours between start attempts, but that didn't help.

Just wondering if there is anything else I should try before sending her off to the mechanic. Kinda rough start to this new marriage. Thanks in advance!

Marc

 

[ahansen_1985]

Sounds kinda like it flooded, too much fuel can be a bad thing...
Try this, push the gas pedal to the floor and hold it there, try starting... If this doesn't work In 10 sec or less it prob won't work...

No pictures or your new girl?
And welcome to the group




1966,351w,m5od,205....3.5" lift, 2" body, 37/13/15 boggers

 

[Broncobowsher]

Smell gas, sign it got flooded. Adding gas to the carb was the wrong direction.
Two ways to start a flooded engine. Wait hours or hold the gas pedal to the floor as you crank the engine. When the engine starts it will cough and chug and as it clears the cylinders the RPMs will rise. the trick is to roll off the throttle as more cylinder start firing. Ignor the cloud of black smoke that will roll out of the exhaust.

Then figure out the flooding. heat soak boiling the gas in the fuel bowl of the carb is a common one. Insulating spacer between the cab and intake can help.

 

[70_Steve]

Welcome to CB.com and congrats on the new addition. It will be lots of fun!!!

Go back to basics. An engine needs three things to run. Air, fuel in approximately the right ratio, and spark at approximately the right time.

Discounting anything major mechanical problems with the engine, if it turns over it should be sucking air. So... got that covered.

You really need to check to see if there is spark. If you can't slide the boot back, stick a screwdriver in the boot, and hold the screwdriver near the block. I've even used a small (1/4-20?) bolt to stick in the boot.

To check for lack of fuel, I usually have a can of starting fluid sitting around. A quick spray is all that's needed to get the engine to turn over. To see if you've got fuel to (into) the carb take off the air cleaner and look down inside the primary venturies (usually the front two) and work the throttle by hand (this is with the key off!!). If there's fuel in the carb, you should see it squirting into the venturies as you work the throttle. If not, maybe you have a fuel delivery problem.

There's always stuff to check, and you will get lots of help on this forum. You'll find it's a pretty active forum, so it doesn't take long to get an answer to a question.

Oh, and post up some pics of the new addition. We all like pics!

 

[Mobious]

Wow- that didn't take long to get help. Awesome. Looks like I have some homework. I posted a few pics in the gallery. You guys can check 'em out while I go try a few things with my new addition. Thanks for all of the help!!

 

[Rox Crusher]

wow, nice rig !

you might call the previous owner and ask if he had any rituals to start it up

welcome to the CB.com

 

[Mobious]

Called the owner yesterday, and he said that he didn't have problems. That is consistent with the fact that when I test drove it a couple weeks ago it started fine, as it did yesterday.

I tried holding the gas down when starting, no change. I also got a spark plug tester, and it sparks okay. Even tried jumping it. Also tried a bit of starter fluid. No change.

 

[ilovemaui]

Bronco looks gorgeous. If it's turning over and did not start with starting fluid I've got to think it's a spark issue.

 

[Rox Crusher]

did you look into the carb while operating the throttle linkage to see if fuel was indeed going into the carb ?

it's either that or a timing issue (since you confirmed spark exists)

 

[73azbronco]

what kind of distributor? HEI, points? Me thinks as well, getting fuel, no start, means not enough spark.

Pull a spark plug, is it full of fuel or dry?

 

[Mobious]

Plugs had some fuel on them but looked a little rough. I pulled them all and replaced them with new ones. But the same story- won't turn over.

Bummer first weekend. Gonna tow it to a garage tomorrow morning. I really appreciate all of the help today, guys. What a great site. I hope to report back with good news soon.

 

[ehumaui]

Flooded, float stuck?

Rc

 

[73azbronco]

OK, "won't turn over" meaning the motor is not cranking/rotating when key is turned to start?

 

[gotdads68]

I think he's referring to won't turn over as won't fire.

I see your Bronco has dual tanks, any chance you filled up one and ran out the one it is actually switched to? Just a thought....maybe the fuel smell was the pump pulling fumes off an empty tank.

 

[Mobious]

Sorry, I did mean that it won't fire.

I filled both tanks, and tried starting with both. No luck. Weird that it was starting fine and then all of a sudden nothing. It's on it's way to the garage right now to diagnose the issue and get a good once-over. Thanks again to everyone for the advice and ideas.

 

[70_Steve]

You will let us know what they find?

 

[MR-CYN]

If you're getting air, fuel and spark it sounds like your timing might be out. Have you checked the distributor to make sure it's tight and doesn't move easily? I've had this happen before. Just a thought from a noob, good luck.

 

[Mobious]

Got my girl back today. ASC (great Bronco shop in Venice) put in a new distributor. Guess I wasn't getting a good spark. Ran great today, which was perfect timing since the weather was unbelievably nice today. Took a nice run up through Malibu. Better yet, the guys at ASC know the truck from the previous owner and think that it is a really solid EB. Stoked. Talked to them today about converting to fuel injection and maybe going to a 5 speed from the current 3. Any thoughts?

So thanks again to everyone for their help. This is a great site, and I hope to contribute in the future.

Marc

 

[Fireball05]

Talked to them today about converting to fuel injection and maybe going to a 5 speed from the current 3. Any thoughts?

So thanks again to everyone for their help. This is a great site, and I hope to contribute in the future.

Marc

I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone here to talk you out of a 5speed or EFI! All the better if you've found a shop closeby which you trust to do the work for you. I see you just got yours, so better hurry up and do it now before the wallet is empty!