Cranks & Cranks.......& Cranks, but won't start!
 

Cranks & Cranks.......& Cranks, but won't start!
What do I do?

Has gas.

Was running when I parked it 2 months ago.

Has a new fuel filter,

New distribiter cap & rotor (whetever it is called)(HEI)

Gas is getting to the carb

No wires are unhooked anywhere that I can tell.

What do I do?

Thanks
I posted this in the engine side, but I am in kind of a hurry.

Process of elimination. Pull the spark plugs and see what condition they are in. Got a Haynes or Chilton manual? They have fairly good troubleshooting guides.

Make sure you have 12V to HEI and then pull spark plug, ground it and see if you get a spark when cranking. If 12v to hEI and no spark, you need to investigate the HEI and module

Spark plugs are brand new, gapped at .045.

I have a manual, but I thought maybe someone had a quicker way of trouble shooting this.

Thanks, I'll start reading.

Ron

make sure your firing order is correct and plug wires are in order on your distibutor. Is it vacuum advance distibutor? Also, check out the "stator" and "resistor" in distributor. Hope this helps~~

just a thought but if it was me i would check the power wire to the distributer and see if it was chewed off by and mice.

I agree with CPNE. If there is 12V to the HEI and no spark, then it is your coil, module, or the pickup coil. Some auto parts stores have the ability to test the module and the coil. As for the pickup coil, It should say in your manual how to test it with an ohm meter. None of these parts are very expensive. Hope this helps

Bobby

I reread your description...make sure your wires on the cap are in firing order with your vacuum advance. (if the vacuum advace points clockwise,put plug firing order clockwise)(counterclockwise,put plug firing order counterclockwise) __unless you knew that already

I've never seen the firing order on any chevrolet motor differ from clockwise.

I was told that Pontiac and Chevy were the same--but the 400 Pontiac I had was counterclockwise~~sorry.

I would check the coil connections and try a different module inside the distributor. I had this problem before, P.O. converted to HEI but left the original power wire to the distributor there and kept burning out modules, changed the wire with one from a '76 truck and haven't had a problem since.

i'd start with oulling #1 plug wire and seeing if you have spark. if you have spark and gas. only other option is no air...check to see if the choke is closed. good luck. kep us informed!

Replaced the module (thing that sits on top of the dist. under the dust cap), and still no luck.

I parked it in december running. It has had a tranny leak is why I have not driven it. I have done nothing to it except put in a tach (which I made sure i hooked it up right to the distributor as well.

WHat now?


Thanks for the help guys!

Ron

what carb are you running? manual choke? i had mine close somehow and the truck wouldn't run. are you getting spark?

Holley 750 , manual choke

Go back to basics. Check for spark at the plugs. If you have spark, then check to see if there is fuel at the carb. Open the choke and look down the carb and pull on the accelerator linkage to see if fuel sprays into the carb. If you have fuel and spark it should at least try to fire up.

If it was running when you parked it and the only thing you have done is add a tach then I would also check out the wiring for that especially where it connects to the distributor. Did you dislodge something or have you got the wires on in the right spot.

This is very basic and it has to be a simple answer.

I cannot seem to get a spark from either on of the spark plug wires at the front of the motor. I have put a screwdriver into the plug and held it close to the wheel well and nothing.

WHat now or what is the next thing I check? Do I run a wire directly from the battery to the one side of the dist where it is currently connected?

Thanks

got to be the wiring.... check and double check that all connections are clean and tight.

There is fuel, because I have seen the spray. Wiring is correct because it says BAT and TACH on the top of the dist. and that is how I hooked it up.

Is the wire that goes into the BAT side hot all the time? If it is, then I can check to see if there is power to that.

Thanks

Ron

Ok, that wire is hot when the key is turned on. So I know there is power getting the that point.

i dont know much about h.e.i, but dont you need 12v in the" crank position" to get it started,and 12v in the "on" position to keep it running? i might be way off but just my .02 jeff

my dad had the same problem with his monte carlo---came to be the stator under the rotor---also check condensor

It possibly could be the pickup coil (under the module) that triggers the distributor module. You can check it with an ohmeter by pulling the 2 prong plug off the left side of the module and checking the resistance on the yellow and green wires. It should read between 140-160 ohms. I am betting it's the module. Like somebody above said, a lot of auto parts stores have the capability to check these to see if they are bad.

TRY STARTING FLUID

I agree with Old Dave!