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got a 77, tough to start cold, I hear a higher voltage ignition switch may solve this problem, any truth to this? I really dont want to sell this truck but just incase anybodies interested ^_^ viewtopic.php?f=8&t=25380

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Chevy LUV: The Jesus of Trucks.

I am not sure if you are pulling my leg or not, but assuming this is an honest question I will bite/ First of all I have never heard of a high voltage igntion switch!
But going back to starting problems when the engine is cold, have you checked to see if the choke is closed, does the engine spin over freely or slowly? If it spins slower than hot, check the battery voltage, both when every thing is turned off and then using a voltage meter test it when the engine is cranking, especially when cold. Therre should not be much of a drop, but you do need 12V or more when the engine is cranking in order to have sufficient voltage at the coil. Be sure and check all of your ground wires too. Assuming the voltage is up to specs, now check the voltage at the plus side of the coil, while cranking this too should be over 10 volts minimum. These checks should be a starting point, if you have a good battery, and wireing then start checking spark plugs, plug wires, dist cap, it will probably be a case of elimination from this point one.
There are some really knowledgeable people on this site, I am sure they will continue with more advice.
Good luck, PM me if you need more.
dp

scjconv...said it very well. I'm not saying there isn't such a thing (I've never heard of one) but you can bypass the ignition switch completely by hot wiring these rigs and running it that way. You have other possibiities to check like what's listed above. You can just run the starting sircuit on a toggle switch and a push button...just completes the loop.

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In life there is the "Way things should be" and then "There's the way they are".

2005 Silverado 3/4T Crew Cab
1981 Luv 2WD
1979 Luv 4x4 Currently going through Open Heart and Cosmetic surgery
1995 Roughneck JetBoat
1981 Luv parts trk

Yeah... volt meteor... thats a tool right? I think i may require someones assistance. ^_^; heh

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Chevy LUV: The Jesus of Trucks.

Check your choke setting.Have you tuned it up recently or cleaned the carb? Also the hard start may be because you need to clean connections or need a new starter/battery.

turned out to be points. changed those, set dwell, kicked right over. in case anyone has a similar problem in the future...

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Chevy LUV: The Jesus of Trucks.

My 77 was difficult to start when new. When I replaced the OEM battery, I went with the biggest battery I could cram in there. I know the manual says 10W-30, which was likely the best there was in 1977. Cold starts improved back in the 90's when I upgraded to the same 5W-30 as my car. Better yet now I am running Mobil 1 0W-30. Even the 0W-30 is thicker at room temperature than a 30 weight at 300 degrees.