Engine cranks...No start

[Riverrat]

Got a problem here, folks. '53 M37 in GOOD shape. Sits in garage @ remote summer place 5 months during winter.
Always fires right up in April. Truck is not run 4 days a week.
She was running fine yesterday. Wouldn't start this morning. Gave either hit and started/ran for 15-20 min. Poured
some tranny fluid in to help clean out some likely carbon buildup.
Ran another 15-20 and died.
Cranked her over–no suction on intake. None. Zero.
Gets plenty gas. Took the crank breather off the carb, still no suction.
Not even ether will fire her up.
Am I looking at an engine job here?
Advice appreciated!
Thanks!

[HingsingM37]

Did you mean 15-20 seconds? You said minutes, which leads me to believe it is a ignition or fuel delivery issue if it ran for minutes B4 cutting off. Was it a strong runner previous? Do you still have spark?

IMHO, Keep the starting fluid away from your old flathead. Great for popping tires onto the rims of farm tractors and starting old diesels at 25 degrees. Bad for 4 and 2 stroke engines.

[just me]

Get out your tools and do a basic diagnostic.
Start with a compression test.
Then power to ignition.
Fuel pump flow test.
That will point you in the right direction to repair.
Guessing over the Internet is a waste of everyone's time.

[Riverrat]

"Did you mean 15-20 seconds? You said minutes, which leads me to believe it is an ignition or fuel delivery issue if it ran for minutes B4 cutting off. Was it a strong runner previous? Do you still have spark?'"

15-20 Minutes. Strong runner. I believe spark was good but will recheck.
BTW, thanks for civil reply and advice!

[PoW]

Don't forget the gas cap has a switch in it: (closed/fording) and open.

If it isn't open, using gas will pull a vacuum on the tank after a bit.



PoW

[HingsingM37]

Also check to see if you have fuel in the carb bowl when it cuts off.

Your welcome. Yes, some that used to prowl here would have told you that you are a mere mortal, in no way capable of working on your own truck, and that you need a $7000.00 rebuild with dyno-balanced rods and secret procedure intake & exhaust porting, along with and a redundant failsafe three cartridge coolant filter set up to even move forward in life...

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Riverrat]

Don't forget the gas cap has a switch in it: (closed/fording) and open.

If it isn't open, using gas will pull a vacuum on the tank after a bit.

PoW

I opened the switch. Truck started immediately and ran into garage! No idea if the two are connected yet, but will run her later to see if the fix is permanent.

WKYP

BTW, that shot of ether was desperation. Truck was in a bad spot blocking our road.
finally had to get the John Deere and pull it aside.
Thanks for kindly advice, guys!

[Riverrat]

Now the truck starts and runs like a top (so far)! No clue, beyond the switch on the gas cap trick (which just blew me away).
Many thanks, Gentlemen! Much appreciated!

[HingsingM37]

Great to hear all is well and it was a simple fix.