71 C-30 n o crank after sitting

[hugger6933]

71 one ton been sitting since 15 and now wont crank. engine turns by hand all the way all the plugs were pulled to replace. Gas line is removed at the tank waiting on new sender. I replaced the tank so I thought while waiting on the sender it would be a good time to turn the engine over a couple of times to work out the wd40 I put in the cylinders. I put on the battery and no crank I thought my dad was the problem, and after I talked him into mashing the clutch[but he argued that he was in neutral] until I reminded him of an invention of a neutral safety switch he then pushed in the clutch. Still no crank The headlamps came on so the battery had contact the battery tester show over 12.5 volts in the battery. Guess I'll start by checking for power at the solenoid. Jim

[Mike C]

Start by wiggling the steering column where the shifter is attached while you are turning key to start. Sometimes the interlock acts wonky when everything else is ok. After that you just have to start trouble shooting with a meter.

[Boog]

Jim it could be the old starter. You could try jumping it across the posts on the starter to see if it will engage that way and back track it. Sitting is the worst enemy of old vehicles. Things tend to corrode and stick.
We had an old B model Mack truck that sat for a few years and wouldn't turn over. The old starter had rust build up inside. The guy thought the motor had seized up.

[hugger6933]

The shifter is in the floor it is a granny low 4 speed. I figured on checking the starter with a test light or starter switch

[Andy4639]

Check the coil wires and see if it's getting fire.
If you tuurn the key and don't get anything I'd start with the key switch and make sure it's getting power.

[hugger6933]

Well Andy, I have not got far enough to check coil fire cause it wont turn over no starter engagement.
i told my dad I wasn't worried about the dist fire if it didn't E-bay has a complete HEI with wires for $60.
I will when I go back to the shop check fire going to the starter then go from there. I forsee a starter pulling in my near future.
I was just trying to get it up and running and driving again to sell and it may turn into more of a project than I hoped. I hav e a 68 GMC that has been sitting about the same amount out time that is next on the list to get up and going. I also have a 68 tC-10 that has been sitting for lots longer that may be more of a challenge

[Mike C]

If you have to get a starter, buy one of the GM style gear reduction mini-starters. Less weight, more power, less susceptible to heat soak. Money well spent.

[hugger6933]

Isnt the nose for the granny low trans different than the autos? I have some later model vortec type starter 96-98 that is the gear reduction type, but I am think the man trans starters bolt to the bellhousing not the block. Or at least the 70 v-8 with the3oot was.

[Mike C]

Yes, they are a bellhousing mount starter. On my Jimmy I run a non-supported front mini starter that works great with the SM465 and the cast iron bell. The Hitachi style. Highly recommended if you can't use the GM one.

[terry b]

Put a chain on it and pull start it. You can leave the key off for while it you want to build oil pressure before you start it. Then you can drive it around and warm it up and put it on some ramps to check the starter.