how do the spark plug wires look? the only reason i ask is because i have never had problems starting my 81 rain or shine and i haven't even touched the cap or rotor on it. i just know the spark plug wires have a better chance of getting damaged and even a crack in a wire can cause an engine to not run.

 

The wires dont look to be in that bad of shape.. I mean there is absolutely nothing there.. Its not even trying to fire at all.. Just turns over and over... Hit it with some ether and still nothing

 

sound like you might have a bad ballast resister or possibly an electrical gremlin. i don't think new cap and rotor would make any difference if you don't got any spark.

 

well what is odd was that it was starting up fine all day yesterday.. I got in about 630 last night and drove it to get dinner and came back parked it. Then when I went out today and got nothing.. Im kind of a newb when it comes to this whole non fuel injected stuff

 

May seem to be aq strage question...but how good a shape is the seal along the firewall and the cab? The reason I ask is that Dodge dis such a good job enbgineering the design of these engines...and located the distributor in a spot where rain will dump on the top of it if that seal is not in place. Wet disty - no start....

The solution is a little tiny umbrella.....no, never mind....

 

electrically these trucks are extremely simple. the ballast resister is one of the weakest links in all the older dodge vehicles. they are made of ceramic because they get hot but i think as they get old they sometimes stop working when they get wet.
ignition wise this is about all there is to them

 

Im not entirely to sure. Its to dark out now to check.. I will try starting it again tomorrow and see what happens. If it still doesnt fire ill pull the cap off and check it out and see if maybe there is in fact water getting down in there... Another thing I wanna figure out is the choke on the truck... Are they an automatic type deal cause there is no manual choke in the cab that I know of..

 

most of the time the choke is usually electrically activated by an oil pressure switch.

 

Ok.. well tomorrow I will pull wires and inspect for any damage. I will also check the cap and see what I find..

 

Went out today it it fired right up first turn of the screwdriver

I will have to put some grease on it when I replace the plugs and wires and see if that'll work