[studeclunker]

Originally Posted by dsraven

stock engine?
check fuses
check points, distributor cap and rotor
check for power at the coil
if you plan to keep it stock and the engine is in good shape it wouldn't hurt to do a tune up on it, plugs, wires, cap rotor, points and condensor, possibly a coil and ballast resistor
if you have a starter/alternator rebuild place close by you may be better served there for a starter than a rebuilt one from a parts house. it seems the quality of the rebuilt stuff has gone downhill sharply, like off a cliff kinda downhill.
these starters are tough but don't tollerate long crank times and overheating

Yes, 235-6
I have yet to find a fuse block. It seems to have inline fuses and I haven't found all of them.
Everything inside the cap seems fine.
The ballast is mounted on the firewall on the opposite side of the bay from the coil and distributor (driver's side).
I'm not very good with doing tuneups. Usually I screw things up worse than they were before. I mean, I can gap plugs properly. However the points and such usually escape me.

Thanks for the pointer on the starter. We do have a fellow locally who does this, however getting him to do the work is a PITA. I really don't like doing business with him. All the same the the starter does seem to be getting a lot weaker. It's rather unenthusiastic about getting things going.

The fuel pump doesn't like to hold the fuel and thus must pump all the way up to the carb, or I have to prime things. However even that doesn't work right now. I don't think it's a fuel problem.