Won't Start
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,967
Likes: 94
RE: Won't Start
well, damit. got the new points and condenser, installed and gapped em per manual 0.20 and it still dosn't go. I still can't see spark in the points either. not sure what to check now except make sure my wiring is all good. don't know why this thing just went TU, it was runnin great the one day, and them wham, the next day she won't go.
Edit that, I went out and fired it in the dark and I can see an occasional spark in my points, but she still dosn't wanna go!!
Edit that, I went out and fired it in the dark and I can see an occasional spark in my points, but she still dosn't wanna go!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,495
Likes: 3,705
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
RE: Won't Start
imboden...here is what the HD factory service manual (70-e78) has to say about engine turns over but does not start (page 1-17)
1. Gas tank empty
2. Gasoline valve turned off
3. Gasoline line, valve or filter clogged
4. Discharged battery or loose or broken battery terminal connections
5. Fouled spark plugs
6. Spark plug cables in bad condition and leaking or cable connections loose
7. Badly oxidized cricuit breaker points
8. Circuit breaker points and/or ignition timing badly out of adjustment
9. Loose wire connections at coil, at one of battery terminals
10. Defective ignition coil
11. Defective condenser
12. Sticking or damaged valve or tappets too tight
13. Engine flooded w/ gas as a result of overchking
14. Engine and tranny oil too heavy (winter operation)
15. Overruning clutch slippage
Obviously some of the things on this list you have already checked off. But it wouldn't hurt to start at the top of the list and work your way down/through. AND, don't just pass over anything, ie..pull the fuel filter, gas lines, battery terminals etc and visually inspect, and then put it back together.
One last thought...any chance you got some bad gas on your last fill up?
1. Gas tank empty
2. Gasoline valve turned off
3. Gasoline line, valve or filter clogged
4. Discharged battery or loose or broken battery terminal connections
5. Fouled spark plugs
6. Spark plug cables in bad condition and leaking or cable connections loose
7. Badly oxidized cricuit breaker points
8. Circuit breaker points and/or ignition timing badly out of adjustment
9. Loose wire connections at coil, at one of battery terminals
10. Defective ignition coil
11. Defective condenser
12. Sticking or damaged valve or tappets too tight
13. Engine flooded w/ gas as a result of overchking
14. Engine and tranny oil too heavy (winter operation)
15. Overruning clutch slippage
Obviously some of the things on this list you have already checked off. But it wouldn't hurt to start at the top of the list and work your way down/through. AND, don't just pass over anything, ie..pull the fuel filter, gas lines, battery terminals etc and visually inspect, and then put it back together.
One last thought...any chance you got some bad gas on your last fill up?
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 8
From:
RE: Won't Start
ORIGINAL: imboden
Edit that, I went out and fired it in the dark and I can see an occasional spark in my points, but she still dosn't wanna go!!
Edit that, I went out and fired it in the dark and I can see an occasional spark in my points, but she still dosn't wanna go!!
One other thing, Is your battery fully charged? It will make a difference.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Won't Start
first off you said you're getting spark at the plugs that means your points are working correctly.but the timing could be off.with the choke on when you crank the engine do you see any smoke from the exaust pipe? (you have to crank it for a bit) no smoke no fuel, take the air filter off , get some fresh gas put it in an oil squirt can and squirt some directly into the carb while cranking BE CAREFULL!!!!! it is gasolene. If it fires you have a fuel delivery problem. Good luck and BE CAREFULL!!!! Ron
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Won't Start
Yes there is a set of Chevy Truck point that work on the shovels ........... set of Blue streak (they're a better quality) 235 6 Cyl. I never have done the "feeler gauge" thing ....... Mine loves to be tickled .... about the thickness of a paper match-book striker.
For Christ's sake, don't go to J&P for a set of points and condenser ......... save your money for good stuff, like gas down to a bike party or a beer or a hoochi-coochie dancer.
Boris
For Christ's sake, don't go to J&P for a set of points and condenser ......... save your money for good stuff, like gas down to a bike party or a beer or a hoochi-coochie dancer.
Boris
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,967
Likes: 94
RE: Won't Start
hey man, had hoped u would chime in here. Yup, I get smoke when I crank it. What else should I check?
ORIGINAL: 71 shovelhead
first off you said you're getting spark at the plugs that means your points are working correctly.but the timing could be off.with the choke on when you crank the engine do you see any smoke from the exaust pipe? (you have to crank it for a bit) no smoke no fuel, take the air filter off , get some fresh gas put it in an oil squirt can and squirt some directly into the carb while cranking BE CAREFULL!!!!! it is gasolene. If it fires you have a fuel delivery problem. Good luck and BE CAREFULL!!!! Ron
first off you said you're getting spark at the plugs that means your points are working correctly.but the timing could be off.with the choke on when you crank the engine do you see any smoke from the exaust pipe? (you have to crank it for a bit) no smoke no fuel, take the air filter off , get some fresh gas put it in an oil squirt can and squirt some directly into the carb while cranking BE CAREFULL!!!!! it is gasolene. If it fires you have a fuel delivery problem. Good luck and BE CAREFULL!!!! Ron
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Won't Start
I would still try the gas squirt in the throat of the carb, also did you check the compression?What kind of carb are you running? Shovel's need a rich mixture to fire up. I assume when you static timed it you had the correct timing mark in the window. you also have to turn the point cam to simulate full advance and use a wraper off of a cigarett pack (the celophane) and you should just feel a slight drag, the points just starting to open, with the cam fully advanced. keep us posted
Ron
Ron
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 755
Likes: 43
From:
RE: Won't Start
Did you try switch'n coils? Is there to much gas in the carb? My shovel would not start yesterday, had sprk, no foul'n and gas. I finally just shut it all down turned the gas off and waited about 5 min. pulled the choke, left the gas off hit the switch, bada boom ,bada bang she fired right up!!!
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