I just picked up an 83 pickup that has been stored in a sea container for the past 12 years! I threw a battery in it and put the fuel lines into a 5 gallon gas can, cranked it over, no spark. I put an ignitor and coil from another 83 that I have on it and it started right up. Ran great for 10 minutes, I shut it off and tried to restart it, cranks over but no spark. I let it sit for 30+ mins and it starts right up. Then the next day I started it up and shut it off 6 times in a row. No problem... I'm pretty confused on this issue.. Anybody have any ideas?

 

Also the day it restarted over and over I was jiggling the wires from the ign. Switch in the column.. Could've been a coincidence.. Idk.

 

Go through and check all of your grounds. I've had similar issues and I had a bad ground to the starter. Replaced the ground cable and works perfectly now.

On another note, I see you're from VA and you have another "83." Do you use it for spare parts? If so, do you by chance have a shortbed that you are looking to get rid of?? I'm in the process of rebuilding the motor on my 83 and a full restoration so I may end up having some spare parts lying around that you may be interested in.

 

It cranks over everytime just not getting spark. I was wondering if the pickup In the dist. Could be getting hot or if I have week ign. Power or high resistance in the wire to the coil/ignitor causing it to get hot and not fire.

And yes I have a strait 83 4x4 shortbed but I'm not sure if I want to get rid of it. I've been thinking about restoring that truck then exocage and make it pretty but functional for anything... Let me think about the bed for a few days and I'll get back to you about it.

 

Have you checked the timing? Could be off a bit, but that wouldn't cause all of your problems. You may also be getting too much fuel since it will turn over 30 minutes later-could be getting flooded. Another problem you might be having is the coil wire may not be all the way seated in the ignition coil - double check that as well.

PM sent about the bed.

 

Ok I'll check that tomorrow. I'm hoping to get it strait sometime this week. Thanks for the info.