1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

72 Commando Won't Start

Discussion in 'Jeepster Commando and Commando Tech' started by Richard Parker, Nov 18, 2016.

  1. Nov 18, 2016
    Richard Parker

    Richard Parker New Member

    Fowler, Indiana
    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2016
    Messages:
    8
    I just garaged my nephews wifes Commando. It has been sitting for several years. I am in the process of trying to get it running. I have started by opening all piston holes (spark plugs) and giving each a little squirt of WD40 and adding new gas to the tank which sounded empty. The batter was dead at the time and we would crank it once we charged it a bit. Using starting fluid a little at a time we could get it to turn over but never really fired. I have since garaged it and added a new battery. Now I crank it and it cranks slow and doesn't fire. I do notice no fuel has made it to the filter before the carb so I add a bit of starter fluid each time I crank it. That is all I have done so far. I am going to start testing the starter voltages and making sure I get a spark. What is the easiest way to test for spark without a volt meter and no im not holding on to the wire.
    This vehicle's data:
    Year 1973
    Plant /Transmission Toledo - Automatic, Left Hand Drive
    Engine 304 standard
    Model Jeepster Commando
    Body Style Full Cab, Metal, Commando
    Body Type & Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) Rating Commando, 3900 lbs
    Engine Code V8, 304 Regular
    Model Year 1973

    I plan to get it running for him as long as I can take it on a road trip in order to deliver it to them in Nashville, TN

    Read more: Jeepz.com
     
  2. Nov 18, 2016
    Richard Parker

    Richard Parker New Member

    Fowler, Indiana
    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2016
    Messages:
    8
    Also t=the last time it was running someone had installed a automatic choke over the factory manual choke and she said it never ran right after that. It ran when it was parked about 6-8 yrs ago.
     
  3. Nov 19, 2016
    Richard Parker

    Richard Parker New Member

    Fowler, Indiana
    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2016
    Messages:
    8
    I checked the auto choke and watched a couple videos and one showed that by loosening the screws the auto choke can be adjusted but this one didn't move very freely so I took it apart and very gently lubed the parts so they could move and be adjusted a little easier. Now I will tune in the auto choke according to a few YouTube videos and we'll go from there. The auto choke also had a negative/grounded wire which was hooked up and a loose I assume positive that wasn't attached to anything. The starter/solenoid was close by so I assume that is where the other wire attaches too. I'll check some voltages when the key is on again according to some instructions and videos to make sure this wire is hot when the key is on.

    I'll post some pics of the whole setup and the carb and choke tomorrow.
     
  4. Nov 19, 2016
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    If it won't fire with starter fluid, then you probably have no spark or there is something seriously wrong internal to the engine. Typically you test spark by holding the distributor end of the coil wire about 1/4" from the engine block and crank the engine. You won't get shocked if you are not grounded to the car. If you are still shy of holding the wire, get a couple of sticks or something else insulated to hold the wire. I have a pair of fuse-pullers (plastic pliers) that works well for this.

    With spark and fuel it should fire, even if it won't start and run.
     
  5. Nov 19, 2016
    Richard Parker

    Richard Parker New Member

    Fowler, Indiana
    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2016
    Messages:
    8
    Thanks Tim. I don't think it is getting spark. I also turned the key on put a lead on neg. battery post and the positive side of the solenoid only registered about 6 volts and a lead on the pos. battery post registered 12v on the neg. side of the solenoid. During crank over no voltages changed
     
  6. Nov 19, 2016
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

    I live in a...
    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2006
    Messages:
    1,512
    I've had way more than one points ignition vehicle where the points get crusty/dirty from sitting for years. Clean up or a new set fixes that problem.
    If you have a spare spark plug pull one of the plug wires, connect the plug, lay it on the intake so the ground terminal is touching metal, crank the engine over or get someone to do it while you watch. Works every time, for me anyway.
    There's no way you can connect the feed wire for the choke to the starter solenoid. You need a 12v feed that's through the ignition switch.
     
  7. Nov 20, 2016
    Richard Parker

    Richard Parker New Member

    Fowler, Indiana
    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2016
    Messages:
    8
    Thanks for the input guys I appreciate your time. I'll keep this post updated as kind of a running journal of everything I do with this vehicle. I'm doing my nephew and his wife a favor and it's fun for me and my 4 kids and brothers. Something classic to work on and hopefully get it to the point where it can take a trip from Northern Indiana to Nashville, Tennessee. They have two young boys and a child on the way and they'd like to fix it up for their kids. Sooo here is what I accomplished tonight.

    Verified no spark from the coil pack. When we walked up to it this evening both sides of coil registered 12v with key on. After cranking it coil + shot down a few volts. Key back in on and the coil + only had 6v. Ignition wire by itself registered 12v but when you put it back on the coil it goes back down to 6v. Removed distributor and points were sticking closed during crank. Separated and sanded points with nail file and adjusted to proper gap. Points now open and close as they should but we still don't get spark out of the points or coil. Now I'm thinking coil pack? not sure! Distributor and points look clean and relatively new even though it's been sitting for several years. Alternator also looks newish too. Coil is older yellow Accel I believe.

    Also we still don't have any fuel making it to the filter on the manifold but I'll address that once we get spark. Also need to change the oil as it's nasty and add a little lubricant to the cylinder walls because it's still cranking hard. I'll also post a few pics if I can so you can see what I'm working on.

    Thanks again for the assist.
     
  8. Nov 22, 2016
    Nekaf&Jeepsterdude

    Nekaf&Jeepsterdude 1968 Jeepster Commando, 1951 M38a1C

    The Netherlands
    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2016
    Messages:
    80
    Hi Richard,

    As you suggest, focus on one issue at the time. First get it to spark and have it run for a couple of strokes on starter fuel. When that is sorted look into the fuel issue. I recently painted my fuel tank and had to start with new fuel in it. It took quite some cranking to get the fuel into the filter and carb again.

    Good luck!
     
  9. Nov 27, 2016
    Richard Parker

    Richard Parker New Member

    Fowler, Indiana
    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2016
    Messages:
    8
    Decided to try points 1st and now we have spark and engine ran with some starter fluid so we're off to a good start. I ended up putting a little more oil in the cylinders so it was spitting out a bunch of smoke but it kept up until the ether ran out and I only did that twice, once to see if we got spark and once because it sounded so dang good!!. I did run extremely rough but hey it's been several years. I'm sure I have the points gaped to far and maybe out of time but it was a quick test. I couldn't get the points properly gaped because the unit I got had the condenser mounted on the points right by the contacts so once it was installed you could hardly even see the contacts and also because the weights and springs are on top of everything and I didn't know how to get those off. The rotor unscrews easy enough but I didn't know how to get the spring mechanism off which I believe is part of the vacuum advance. Anyway I adjusted by eye and I know it was too big but I wanted to see if we could get a spark and yes indeed we did.

    Next we work on finding a way to get the points properly gaped so we can work on the fuel delivery. When we get fuel delivery we'll work on timing and checking compression.

    Maybe see ya in a couple weeks. Starting to get cold here in Indiana and my garage isn't heated but I got 4 teenagers in the house so I do need to escape to my safe place sometimes. I did get two of my kids out to help so far and they're excited that we got it fired up. I set my profile pic of what we're working on. Having a lot of fun so far.
     
  10. Nov 28, 2016
    Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

    I live in a...
    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2006
    Messages:
    1,512
    Those Uni-points were a somewhat great idea but a real PITA to set without a dwell meter. Probably one of the reasons why Pertronix and other electronic distributors gained popularity, not many have access to a dwell meter. Great to hear it's alive again.
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2017
  11. Jan 1, 2017
    Richard Parker

    Richard Parker New Member

    Fowler, Indiana
    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2016
    Messages:
    8
    The points are finally set I believe. I almost bought a new set until my brother mentioned removing the condenser and set the points then reinstall the condenser. I did this but it was a huge PITA getting the condenser back on. Anyway it seems to be running smooth when fuel (starter fluid) is supplied but after much cranking there is still no fuel to the filter/carb. There is about 3-5 gallons of fresh gas but the tank seemed empty when I first added fuel. There may be some blockage from the tank or pump isn't working properly. I am going out now to blow through the supply line as well as the feed line so we'll see where the hold up is. I suspect the line is clogged. Again I appreciate any and all feedback good or bad even just words of encouragement haha. Still having fun but it sure is cold here. Happy new year all.
     
  12. Jan 1, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    Go easy on the ether. Too much starting fluid can hurt an engine.
     
  13. Jan 1, 2017
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    794
    You can put gas in the carb in place of starting fluid. You could try bypassing the tank by sticking the fuel line before the fuel pump in a gas can. Conversely take the hose off the fuel pump that goes to the carb when you turn it over you should get fuel squirting out the hose.
     
  14. Feb 18, 2017
    Richard Parker

    Richard Parker New Member

    Fowler, Indiana
    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2016
    Messages:
    8
    Hey all it's been a while. So last time I was here I was getting it to run a little with ether and started looking in to the fuel delivery. No matter what I couldn't get fuel to flow to carb. Found a big hole in the flex hose feeding the pump so that was cool. Added a length of hose and fed it in to a fuel can and BAM the beast fired right up after priming the line. Ran pretty good and idled okay but seemed to be missing on a cylinder. Ran a compression check and found most had 110-115 pounds but one had 0 ponds of compression and a second only had 80 pounds. Removed the valve cover both were on the same side. One rocker are on the 0 cylinder was floppy and I found that there was no push rod under it. How the hell does that happen? Looking down in the hole I can see what looks like the rounded tip with a small hole in it but I'm not sure. The other 80 pound cylinder rocker arm looks a little skewed compared to the others so I'll adjust that if I can. So first I think 110-115 pounds seems a little low? How about the push rod is there enough space down there if the cam lobe is rounded that it could fall through? Must be what is called throwing a rod. That sucks.
     
  15. Feb 18, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    Not sure about a 304, but I've seen a stuck valve let a pushrod fall out of place. In that instance, there was no lasting damage.

    Can you get the pushrod with a magnet?
     
New Posts