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my440's avatar
my440
Explorer III
Jul 18, 2017

Dodge B300 440 start problem

Ok 1978 440 Dodge B300
There has been no issues and it has been running well.
Today though I turned over the key cranking the engine.
The engine continues cranking and will not fire until the moment I release the key.
Once the key gets released it fires up and runs well.
What may be the troubles here I wonder?

Ideas?
Thanks!
Class C
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Aug 07, 2017
    Could be a connection, that's for sure. Also, the magnetic pickup in the distributor gets weak. Could be that cranking lowers available voltage, and it spikes back up in the instant you release the Key from Start to Run. Then the engine catches.

    We had a 1971 Dodge with the 318 engine and points/condenser ignition. Big project, we put a 360 in it, and changed the ignition to MoPar electronic. It ran much stronger, but then it did that funky starting thing. Our daughters were young then, and they'd cheer Mom when she got it to start. "Yeah Mom, You Got It!"

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