[OldRed]

I completed the swap for my 305 V6 distributor to an HEI as written up on Jolly's site. I installed an aftermarket carb from Amazon (single barrel is a single barrel) and a new gas pedal with a throttle cable to simplify the linkage based on what was under my hood. I installed new wires, plugs, set the timing to roughly 5 degrees BTDC, and used a vacuum gauge to tune the carb as best as I could. I have an inline electric fuel pump, completely bypassed the manual pump and simply toggle on the inline fuel pump a few seconds before I try to start the truck.

I am able to turn my key to on, switch on the fuel pump, and place a starter button on the solenoid and start the truck no problem. I mean it fires RIGHT up, like I am almost surprised every time at how quickly it will start.

However, if I try to use the key inside the truck, it just cranks and does not want to start. I ran a new wire from the fuse box to the distributor, so that it could handle the appropriate flow of electricity to start/run. I never got around to hooking up the tach wire on the distributor though. I did not think that would cause an issue, but maybe it does? Is it possible the engine could run with the tach hooked up, and not the power wire to the distributor? And that's why it only starts when jumping the starter solenoid? That doesn't make sense in my brain but stranger things have happened. Or maybe my ignition switch is bad? When I turn the key though the starter does crank, which I feel like indicates there's a drop in power or something.

I'm open to any suggestions on things to look at or maybe just direction on where to start. I've also been contemplating replacing the fuse panel as mine is not in the best shape, and that could be causing an issue internally that I can't see.

Thanks for the help!