I have a '85 Dodge w360. The truck was working fine, drove it to work and back and the next day it won't start - it cranks and will runs for maybe 30 seconds and then shuts off.

Any suggestions?

 

have you checked for spark and fuel when it does this?

 

I took the line off to see if it was getting fuel and there was a good amount of fuel that came out when I started it...

 

so when it shuts off after the first 30 seconds will it start right up after or do you have to wait?

 

It will start right up again.

 

from the sounds of things you have an electrical problem. have you checked all the ground connections? could also check the ballast resister.

 

Ok... went ahead and replaced both those parts as well as the distributor cap as it had some corrosion. Still doesn't work. :/

 

Ok you say it will start, run for 30 seconds then stall, but will start right back up again - is this correct?

Does it require lots of cranking before it will start or restart after a stall or does it start right up.

Will it stay running if you give it gas after you have stated it? Or what happens if you give it gas?

 

I normally give it five pumps before starting it for the first time each day. After that it will start with the turn of the key.

It starts up without much cranking (it sounds just like it normally does)

If I give it gas it has no effect. It still shuts off almost immediately.

It's like it wants to start it just can't.

 

This trick will eliminate the fuel system as the problem. Get a spray bottle and put some gas in it and set the nozzle to spray a strong mist and not a stream. Start the truck and when you think it is about time for it to quit start spraying gas in the throat of the carb. If it continues to run as long as you are spraying and only quits when you stop, it is a fuel problem. If it still shuts off on its own while you are spraying it is electrical. It may take a few tries for you to get a handle on how much to spray so go easy at first so you don't over rev the engine.