Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

Took the carb apart, only thing w I noticed was the accelerator pump was sticking. Replaced it, bit still no luck. Doesn’t start and acts like it is out of time.
Next step is to pull the valve cover and maybe pull the front timing cover.

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

I know you check the coil, ut all those symptoms jive with a failing coil. Even a failing coil can deliver a spark. They act up when they get warmed up and a failing coil gets hotternhell to the touch after a short drive.

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

My thought was the same, cam gear failure. Perhaps first pull the distributor and have a look at the drive gear and make sure its still in good shape and properly attached. Try to shine a light down the distributor hole and check the condition of the drive gear there also.

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

OK, the only real change was that rebuilt distributor, right? Worst case, pop the old one back in and see what happens. Nothing to lose, at this point.

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

Yeah, I thought about that too. If it is the new distributor, why would it work for a while and then fail?

Tomorrow I will try this and pickup a new ignition coil.

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

WTF?

I tried a coil first, no deal - wouldn’t start.

Put the old distributor in and it started right up.

Someone please explain this!

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

Old is the electronic one, right?


On the points distributor:

Pull on the wire that goes into the condenser. If it pulls out, you have the culprit. Not a common failure.

If you have an ohmmeter, check the condenser resistance. The meter will (maybe) give a little blip, and then settle to infinity. Anything less than infinity, the condenser is shorted.

Check that the breaker plate ground wire is intact.

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

Yes, the old one is electronic. It probably is the condenser; it probably wouldn’t have started if the ground was bad. But, I don’t know, it’s been a strange problem. I guess my trouble shooting skills need a tune up.

:metal:

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

OK, so now you need to go and see if you can take that hill with the throttle opening all the way... :D

Maybe just return the distributor? They are dirt simple, and should be easy to fix. But if it's running well enough with the old distributor, I wouldn't bother with it.

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

The distributor was $25, I think I’ll just keep it.
The condenser test resulted in OL. It must be faulty.

I’ll get out there and drive it again this week, just feels a little sketchy. Hoping I don’t get stranded again.

I wonder if the condenser failed because I didn’t have a ballast resistor wired up.

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

If you had no ballast resistor the points are probably toast, but it usually takes awhile to scorch bad enough to fail. Possibly the coil is now walking wounded.

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

Right now I have the Pertronix conversion installed(old distributor), no ballast resistor, and a new coil.
I may take it for a drive tomorrow.

In case anyone is wondering what’s under the plate (this is the new distributor) in the pic.

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

Drove the truck to work this afternoon, no problems at all. It was a relatively short drive; the actual commute if I go straight to work is 1.9 miles. However, today I drove it a bit more, about 10 miles.

Got a few compliments at work too.

I think I may take it to the muffler shop this weekend and get the exhaust all done, the right way.

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

More importantly, did you take that hill? ;)

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

Great, hopefully this is it. You've really busted your arse trying to solve these issues and stuck with it. A lesser man might have gotten discouraged and thrown in the towel. I hope it hauls the hill with pride.

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

Pleased to see that you have resolved the truck issues.

We NEED a hill report. Preferably with video, drone footage and a voice over done by the Marlborough Man....

P. :D

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

:lol:

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

That would be one expensive video...:lol::lol:

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

Digging the Marlboro Man up and animating him would be the most expensive part.

Hey George, with all us guys pulling for you, that truck oughta cruise right up that hill!

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

Oh alright then...Garrison Keillor.

Failing that I am available for a reasonable fee...

P. :D

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

Ok, I drove it up that hill today and it still just doesn’t have any guts. Did not get a video.
I shift through the gears, into 5th gear, cruising along at 50 (4:10 rear), it starts up this hill and it just continuously gets slower and slower. I shift down to 4th and the engine is revving up pretty good, but I’m going slower of course.

Then I turn the corner and start up this other small hill, going in 4th gear and as it gets up half way it just slows again, just no power.

I don’t know, it’s just gutless. Don’t have a tach, so I’m not sure what rpm I’m at, but it must be getting up at least 3000, pretty loud inside that cab.

Re: Next steps for the 63?
 

I still start out in 2nd gear, with that 4:10 rear I get nowhere in 1st, even with the T5. When I’m cruising down the highway, about 60, it’s pretty loud in the cab. I think it’s a combination of the driveshaft spinning, engine noise and road noise. Not much insulation left on the firewall either.