Eric Hysteric wrote:
Griff in Fairbanks wrote:
No. Stay with the stock Dodge electronic ignition. That's what I had in my '77 B200 van with a 318 cu. in. (Same basic engine as you have.) Never gave me any problems and boosted gas mileage once I tweaked the timing.
(The OEM ignition was nearly bullet proof so I don't know why anyone -- other than a race engine builder -- would want to change it.)
There is an electronic ignition inside? Wow, i am very surprised about it. When i did the first testdrive, the starter needed some seconds until the engine is started, but the engine runs great without smoke and very quiet. Love it! :-)
In my opinion the starter is a little bit undersized for this big engine but it seems to work, so i'm not worried abou that.
Yes. So you'd just be spending money to buy something you already have.
Replace cap, and spark plugs. Make sure spark plugs have correct gap. Put a timing light on it ... but don't change the timing unless it's clearly off the mark. (Disconnect and plug vacuum advance hose first ... and remember to reconnect hose after checking timing.)
I've never had to replace the starter on an LA small block, which is what you have. Can't say the same for other vehicles.
Your battery may be weak or the cables could be loose or corroded.
The only vehicle that didn't require some cranking was my '49 Int'l Metro step van. Even at 30 below zero (F), it'd fire up after only one or two complete rotations.
BTW - get a spare ballast resistor and carry it with you ... that was the only truly frustrating experience I had with my '77 van.
