1979 Chevy Van starting

LMEREDITH66

MEMBER
1979 CHEVROLET VAN
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
12,000 MILES

I have a step van, like an old bread truck or Fed-Ex truck (turned into an Ice Cream truck), that will turn over and over and over...but doesn't take off and start. I've called shops and they all tell me to bring it in. It's a huge 14' truck and if I can't start it, I can't bring it in. Today (Thanksgiving Day) was supposed to be a HUGE selling day for me. I spent everything to stock the truck to the hilt!!! If I can't get my truck on the road, I can't make any money. This is my livelyhood! I would love to give a nice donation for your help, but I need to get the truck on the road and make some money to do so.
Please...any suggestions???

~Laura
Phoenix AZ

1 Reply

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Do below and tell me what's happening this is where we start

Get a starting fluid or ether and spray into the carb or the throttle body on an EFI. Did it start and die? If not disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors- Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it