I have a 71 jimmy 1/2 ton 4x4. Before I bought it, (Four years ago), some one had put in a 75, 350 which is HEI. Everything works fine, even after changing to an internal alternator three years ago. Last week, while waiting for daughter to finish basketball practice, I sat in the parking lot listening to the radio, with the ignition switch on accessory. After about 15 minutes, my daughter came out, and we were ready to head home. I turned the key to start. and nothing happened! just the glow of the dash lights. After having negotiated an emergancy pickup from daughter two, wife and I returned two hours later, tools, test meter, etc. in hand. Before attempting anything, I got in the cab, hit the gas pedal once, like always, and she fired rite up, and we drove home. Used the truck much since then, with no problems re-starting, no matter after how much driving. But have not used the accessory to run anything. My question is, could someone have wired something wrong, when they converted the truck from point ignition to HEI, causing power to go to the coil when the ignition switch is on accessory? Thanks for any insight!

That is where I would start, see if accessory position also powers the distributor.

That is a strange one? How long has it been since it has acted up? I'm thinking maybe an intermittent starter problem? You could eliminate the accessory theory by trying it again at your home, where it would not leave you stranded if it did it again.

your coil has nothing to do with it if the engine never cranked over.
Do you have headers?
Do you run it and shut it off and try re-starting very often?
how old is the starter?

Thanks everyone! As soon as the weather gets above freezing(9 degrees tonight), I will get the meter out, and check current while in accessory. I don't have headers, and the starter is no-telling how old. If there is no power showing to coil wire I will check the starter, I wonder also, though I have never had one go bad, might the nuetral safety switch be acting up? Thanks.