[DTL504]

Car was running fine a few weeks ago now she turn over but will not start. Its not backfiring or flooding the plugs.

Few things I have check:
1. Engine have fire at plugs
2. Fuel getting into carb
3. Valves have been check over and over again
4. Timing is dead-on
5. Engine has compression
6. fuel pressure 5.5


She just turn over the starter but will not fire. I am confused!

Please help!

[001mustang]

Did you pull plugs to make sure they are not fouled?
Did you try to start with starting fluid?

[DTL504]

Originally Posted by 001mustang

Did you pull plugs to make sure they are not fouled?
Did you try to start with starting fluid?

The plugs are clean with no fuel on them. I have not tried starting fluid.

[eloc431962]

What exactly are you working on?

Cole

[001mustang]

Originally Posted by DTL504

The plugs are clean with no fuel on them. I have not tried starting fluid.

I would definitely try starting fluid.
Best to have one person cranking and another person squirting.
If your carb is not tuned/choked perfect it will still start with starting fluid.
Also make sure your choke is not fully closed.

[406 bug]

Between the time ir was running fine and the first time it would not start did you do any thing to the vehicle?? if so give details.

[DTL504]

Originally Posted by eloc431962

What exactly are you working on?

Cole

84 Camaro, Dart SBC 400, Scat 4340 Crank, Wiseco Piston, Eagle 6"H-Beam Rod, Bullet Solid Cam 275/279,247/251@.050, 565/577-108, AFR-195 Comp, Hooker Super Comp 1-3/4 Headers, Pro-Built 700R4, P.T.C. 3000SS, Strange ENG.12 Bolt 3:73, Holley 750, Edelbrock Air Gap Intake, AFR 195 Heads, MSD Pro Billet distributor w/6AL Box & Balster 2 Coil.

[DTL504]

Originally Posted by 406 bug

Between the time ir was running fine and the first time it would not start did you do any thing to the vehicle?? if so give details.

I took off the 1" carb spacer and verified the valves setting using EO/IC method.

[406 bug]

Originally Posted by DTL504

I took off the 1" carb spacer and verified the valves setting using EO/IC method.

Look down the carb and make shure throttle plates not hanging up on manifold or carb gasket ; also make shure your shooters are getting fuel into the carb.

[DTL504]

The butterfly is moving freely and fuel is squitring out into the carb, rotor is fine, I have taken that cap off to reseat it several times. I have spark at the spark plugs. I also double check to make sure it was not 180* out or off a tooth. I moved the plugs on the distributor counter-clockwise one and clockwise one, still nothing. I have watch the spark plug #1 fire while looking at the balancer which came on at about 18*. I am just lost to see why this car will not start.

[001mustang]

Originally Posted by DTL504

The plugs are clean with no fuel on them. I have not tried starting fluid.

If the plugs are dry following start attempts I would consider the possibility that your idle fuel/air is too lean.

Fresh water free fuel?

Wouldn't hurt to verify vacuum while cranking.

[T-bucket23]

So since it was running and you have not moved the distributor, the timing should be close enough to run, it ran there before.
The spark at the plugs, is it a nice bright blue or is it yellow.
It may help to try a little fuel in the carb to see if it fires. Maybe something is wrong with the gas you have or maybe someone watered your tank.
I would stay away from ether based starting fluid as it can sometimes fire without spark and can hinder the troubleshooting.

I have also seen bad msd boxes that will give a nice spark but at the wrong time. You may want to see if you can validate the timing with a timing light while cranking.

[DTL504]

I may have found the problem. I took of my distributor cap to check my pickup OHMs rating which was 559 and look for any cracks. Everything look good with the naked eye but I can shake the cap while holding the 2 cap screws and something is rattling inside, so I call MSD tech line and they guy said It may be firing at the plugs but not a strong spark to start the engine. I just ordered a cap, rotor, pickup from Summit Racing. Stay Tune...

[DTL504]

Update:

The distributor cap is not the problem; with the timing light hooked to the number one plug its firing at 21*. I am totally baffled on where the problem lies. Maybe I need to drain the fuel tank to make sure I did not get any bad gas. Everything else seem to be dead on with fuel pressure, compression, and spark.

[74vetteman]

I agree with t bucket, a little fuel down the carb.
If your running a HEI distributor check for a pin hole burnt through the rotor. It will cause an eractic spark and over looked by many people.
(note) have to remove the rotor to check it. look for a small burnt spot on the under side of the rotor.