1980 Power Wagon starting issues when it gets cold outside....any suggestions where to look

[dsd1967]

My son has a 1980 power wagon, stock 318 with an edelbrock afb type 4bbl carb, auto transmission. The engine is worn out and down on power, but starts easily when it's above 40 degrees and runs fine. When it gets into the low 30's it's a crap shoot if it will start or not. Yesterday it started for him in the evening (he works third shift). When he went to start it in the morning...nothing. We went to his work last evening and tried ether to see if we could get it to light, and it didn't even try to fire. Right now I'm leaning toward an ignition system problem, but haven't even tried to start troubleshooting the issue.

What would be the obvious things to check that could be affected by temperature?

 

[Don Frelier]

Short term get a can of starting fluid.
Make sure the choke closes fully and opens about a 1/4" when it fires.
I've seen a bad 4 pin ballast resistor do this on the start side of the ballast. The exact symptoms

 

[dsd1967]

Thanks Don....I'll get a new ballast resistor today and see if that helps. It's an easy component to replace and a quick check.

 

[sam dupont]

with low compression (worn out motor) spark and fuel are more critical. I would first check the choke function. Then plugs, wires, and cap. In throwing money at parts, ballast resistors aren't expensive.

 

[68-500]

I hope he gets it figured out. I am amazed there is still a 1980 Power Wagon alive in Toledo, and someone is dally driving it!

 

[VANDAN]

In WNY growing up, our winters used to be harsh, year after year. You needed your car tuned up, and I used to carry an extra point set all the time. Could change 'em out in 10 mins, any time of day, or temp. One other thing that was common, was to carry a screwdriver, long enough to Crack the chokes open when it wouldn't fire up. Pull the air cleaner lid off, and install the S/d. Even my wife remembers doing that pretty often...

 

[Don Frelier]

And easy check is pull the coil wire off the distributor, hold/set about a 1/4" away from ground and crank it.
Should be a blue/white spark and crisp.
Yellow or lazy isn't good, nothing would indicate the ballast resistor is likely open.