Okay, Different project here folks -

It's a 1976 Toyota pickup.
Starting issues. And the weird thing is I've has this truck running in the past.

The original owner loaned it out to his cousin.
Cousin had it out on the freeway going 70 mph with out any oil in the engine.
The engine froze up, and connecting rod punched thru the lower wall of the block.

I got it and put another 20 r engine in it from some guy who had an extra from his work at a Toyota dealership.
Put a new starter in it, and it started.

Cancer hit family and fast forward a year or so.
It wont start again.

Check battery: 12 volts.
Checked positive to starter: 12 volts.

Cleaned all negative grounds to body, radiator, engine.
Added an extra ground strap.
Cleaned starter and transmission plate with wire brush on drill.
Checked ignition wire to solenoid: getting electric.
Check drain on battery during ignition: 9-10 volts.

Pulled starter and grounded to engine wall: Starts.
I can see the solenoid popping forward and returning.

Put starter back into engine.
Hooked up ONLY the ignition wire.
( All other wire harness wires are off.)

Starter and engine turn albeit weak.
Like a battery when it loses its charge.

Any thoughts on what to check or do?
Many thanks!

 

have you checked the signal wire to the starter to see if its getting power when you hit crank with the key? I would start there, if not signal start checking fuses


If you are getting starter signal, and the starter is engauging but not able to spin the motor suspect siezed motor, pull spark plugs and try spinning motor by hand ( or with the starter again )

 

I agree check your ignition switch function to make sure it's not failing-you can hook up a light and jiggle the key to see if it's failing. And you don't have to pull the plugs to see if the motor is the issue, if you can bench press 120lbs you should easily be able to crank the motor with the plugs in and a wrench. It should go from easy to mildly hard as you enter each TDC, but totally turnable by hand.

 

First, many thanks to all. Ive learned more about automobile repair and maintenance by continually failing and making mistakes on these trucks than ever before in my life. I actually understand the "HOW" AND "WHY" of of stuff. So much so that I have even helped a few people with the reairs of their cars! That's amazing!

As to the starter issue, the crank turns. The motor is not seized. And I've checked the wire to the solenoid ( Green w/yellow stripe ) with a probe light. It gets current.

I suspect the timing is off. I looked at the distributor this afternoon, and the wires looked off. I had vandals in the area, and I think they moved the wires around. Any thoughts?

 

Timing being way off could keep it from starting and running, but won't affect the speed or strength of the starter motor. Have you checked your voltage regulator to make sure it hasn't failed? I suspect something electrical has failed since it 'was fine' and then became 'not fine' only after sitting. Did you check your coil's primary and secondary voltage? Even though it might seem unrelated I would also make sure you have fuel flowing to the carb and the float bowl level is in spec, because strangely enough when there is no fuel going in it seems to make these engines turn 'tight' or slow.

 

not so we are chaseing nothing, have you tried jump starting the truck to make sure the battery has enough balls to turn that tiny motor over? if your starter is getting signal and its not able to spin the motor but you can I would call out battery first.

 

Safety switch - Neutral, clutch, etc.?