390FE
05-10-2005, 09:21 PM
I just bought an 87 Pickup and it started and drove before I bought it. Now It won't start.
I haven't tried to start it sence I bought it because it needs a radiator.
Anyway. I just changed theplugs, wires, cap and rotor. I shecket for spark and its there and I looked into the card while actuating the throttle andI see fuel spraying into the carb. What am I missing. I know its gonna be somthing silly. Also, don't know if this is related but when trying to start the starter will sometimes grind like the truck was already running and all power will go out sometimes when turning the key and I just get the dead battery click.
burger
05-10-2005, 09:57 PM
was the rad shot when you first drove it?is there coolant in the oil?if it ran hot and blew the head gasket it could have leaked into the combustion chamber and...water doesn't compress,giving you the strange starter problems when cranking.I hope it's something else though :ugh3:
390FE
05-11-2005, 08:24 AM
When I bought the truck it was told to me the radiator was shot and the head gasket was blown. Come to find out the guy had the radiator blow I am guessing about 20 miles from home back in Nov or Dec(just guessing here). The truck was not started in a few months and we got it started so I could hear the motor and make sure the 4x4 worked. It only ran for about 5 minutes or so and it actually stalled out when I parked it. It was towed to my house after that. When I first looked at the truck I saw no signs on water in the oil but last night I did see some (little) milky white stuff on the top of the oil cap. Also plus #1 was coated in oil and the plugs seemed to get cleaner as they want back (1,2,3,4). There was mechanic that was actually showing me the truck(friend of owner/seller) and he did not think the head gasket was gone and he also was the first to drive it after it was started and he said he was doubtful the head gasket was gone. But I guess the 5 minutes running could have puched a weak head gasket over the line.
390FE
05-16-2005, 08:47 AM
Did a compression test and got:
Cyl1= about 48-49spi
Cyl2= about 45psi and the nedle pulsed as the motor turned over
Cyl3= the saem as cyl 1
Cyl4= about 53psi
Does this tell anyone anything???
burger
05-16-2005, 05:22 PM
That's way low.Time to pull the head.
390FE
05-17-2005, 01:21 PM
Pulled the and there is cerosion and pitting on the underside and someone spilled chocolate milk under the valve cover :sosad: . And it slightly worped. Machine shop cant fix the pitting.
I am for looking for a new head but it isn't as easy as it seems it would be. $350+ for a recon and only 2 of 8 salvage yards have any.
On the up side the piston walls look great and I can't feel any groves or warn marks with my fingernail.
burger
05-17-2005, 09:54 PM
I'd keep looking,I can find used heads for around $120.00 can. here