Engine Will Not Stay Running
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Engine Will Not Stay Running
I have inherted 81 that has been sitting in a garage for a while, the car ran fine before, the car sat for about 1 year, when I tried to start the car, the car start ups, but as soon as I release the ignition switch, it shuts down.
I think it is some kind a electrical problem, seems like maybe some kind of solenoid that is frozen.
I have tried searching, but have found nothing thats semms like this, or not quite sure what to search for.
Nay help would be approciated.
I think it is some kind a electrical problem, seems like maybe some kind of solenoid that is frozen.
I have tried searching, but have found nothing thats semms like this, or not quite sure what to search for.
Nay help would be approciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
your going to have to go thru the basics:
disconnect all the vac ports and cap them, that will eliminate vac leaks from all the hoses and external components.
Take a look at the electrical connections on the dizzy and make sure they are stable, use a test light while starting to make sure.
The carb could easily be all hosed up if Bubba has been in there. Take a couple pics and post, we might be able to help there.
Check the dizzy cap and rotor for moisture and carbon tracs
Verify the barb is getting fuel, remove the air cleaner and look into the throat and bump the accelerator lever, it should squirt.
If the car sat for a year the gas tank could be full of junk and water. New fuel filter and a tank cleanout will help with that.
The carb base gaskets may also be dried out and shrunken causing vac leaks on the base of the carb.
try all that on for size, lets see what happens
disconnect all the vac ports and cap them, that will eliminate vac leaks from all the hoses and external components.
Take a look at the electrical connections on the dizzy and make sure they are stable, use a test light while starting to make sure.
The carb could easily be all hosed up if Bubba has been in there. Take a couple pics and post, we might be able to help there.
Check the dizzy cap and rotor for moisture and carbon tracs
Verify the barb is getting fuel, remove the air cleaner and look into the throat and bump the accelerator lever, it should squirt.
If the car sat for a year the gas tank could be full of junk and water. New fuel filter and a tank cleanout will help with that.
The carb base gaskets may also be dried out and shrunken causing vac leaks on the base of the carb.
try all that on for size, lets see what happens
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 27
From: South Louisiana offshore, Gulf of Mexico
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: central coast CA
I had the same problem on my '72. It would start and when I released the key the motor would quit running. turned out to be a small black wire not connected to the coil. I believe the wire went from the positive side of the coil to the starter solenoid but it's been awhile so the old timers might be kicking in.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,419
Likes: 22
From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
I had the same problem on my '72. It would start and when I released the key the motor would quit running. turned out to be a small black wire not connected to the coil. I believe the wire went from the positive side of the coil to the starter solenoid but it's been awhile so the old timers might be kicking in.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: central coast CA
On my '70, that wire is yellow. I think you mean the black wire from the fuse block to the coil. I just got my edumacation advanced on that wire yesterday, and if I understand it correctly now, that wire being bad or disconnected would cause what the OP is experiencing. When turning the motor with the starter, the primary ignition circuit is getting its power from the yellow wire. When you let go of the ignition switch to run the engine, it changes from the yellow wire to the black "resistance wire".
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
It could be that the BATT terminal is getting 12 volts when the ignition switch is in the START position but not when it returns to the ON position.
