weird spark/ignition problem

[chevythunder]

ok heres my problem. when i try and start my truck first thing in the morning when its cold the engine cranks over fine but will not start. however if i jump it with another vehicle it fires right up or if i advance the timing it fires right up. the first thing i  thought of was the battery but a buddy of mine told me that aslong as the engine cranks over like it does it should spark. once i get it started and warmed up it will start fine for the rest fo the day. could it be that the battery has enough power to turn the motor over but not enough to give it the spark it needs or could it be something in the distributor?  

[chevythunder]

by the way its a 350 with hei

[VileZambonie]

What do you mean if you advance the timing? As in you turn the distributor, it starts then you turn it back? Honestly sounds like you have bad connections. Check your battery connections, then your grounds at the back of the cylinder head, front of the engine block, intkae manifold, and then check your B+ connections at the distribtor and at the junction block on the firewall.

[Redneckchevy]

Ok...Well i would start of with making sure the choke is working fine..Then check every thing like the cap and wires for any cracks..Then check ur plugs to make sure thare not fould out...If all looks fine then take ur self a inline spark tester and see what you got..  Hope that helps you out...Its always best to start small  

[chevythunder]

yes i have to move the distributor a little bit counter  clockwise to get it to start. then i move it back where it was. i am buying a new battery tomorrow so i will see how that works out.

[75 C20]

when u install ur new battery make sure u have good connections on everything- my truck was acting up on starting awhile back and the terminals were just lose