Yes, another won't start thread

[agronomya]

Ok guys,

Last Friday I ran it for about 5-10 minutes befoe I left town. It ran but had a GOOD lope to it. I got back into town on Sunday and it hasn't run since. This is what I've done. It will turn over freely.

1. Tried to set choke and start normally. No go. Pump and hold down pedal
no go.
2. Put in N to test NSS. Wouldn't turn over so thats ok.
3. Used Berryman's carb cleaner and starting fluid. No go.
4. Checked voltage last week while running and had 12 at battery and 13.5
at alt. Didn't check anything on the distributor.
5. Took off carb (Edel. 1406), rebuilt and cleaned it. Put back on the other
night, no go. Can see gas going in when I hit it under the hood with my
hand.
6. It has finally warmed up to about 55 today and that didn't help and I
had my car hooked up to boost cause all the trying kind of ran down the
battery. Still nothing.

Not sure where to go from here. I'm not sure how old all the ignition components are and that is what I think I'll hit next. Just do a whole tune up so I know when everything was done. I'm also still a little unsure of the carb as I really don't like Edelbrock carbs and ASAP I plan to switch to a 625 Road Demon. Just wanted to know what you guys think before I start throwin down cash. Thanks guys.

AA

[Jtrux]

Well if your getting gas then it's ignition. Check points, condensor, coil, cap, rotor, wires, plugs, hell just replace it all, none of those parts cost anything and if it's been a while since they've been replaced it's time for new stuff anyways. Buy a rebuilt HEI unit and drop that in there and maintenance is reduced significantly.

[72lb4x4]

On a most basic level, to start, an engine needs air, fuel, spark, and something to turn it over sufficiently quickly.

Air, check.
Fuel seems not to be a problem.
Spark, who knows.
Seems to turn over.

Maybe you should pull a plug wire and check for spark.

[Sport/Truck]

+ one on the HEI.
s/t

[agronomya]

J-Thats my thought. It's got HEI so I think I'll just order on of those HEI tune-up/upgrade kits from Summit or Jegs with about everything in it and see what that does.
72-I've tried but I'm trying on my own and its kinda tough to. I pulled the #1 plug and ran it under the hood and up onto the windshield but i couldn't see a spark or reach out a screwdriver to see if I could hear the spark so ?.
Thanks for the input fellas.

AA

[PanelDeland]

Sears or any good auto tool supply will carry a remote starter switch.I think mine was around$10.00 at Sears a couple years ago.Two alligator clips and turn the key on.Then you can be under the hood and try to turn it over.Just push the button.It;s an absolute must for the guy who doesn't always have a extra hand.You could probably make one for about the same money unless you have a switch some wire and a couple alligator clips lying around.

[ghackett1]

I bet it's one of two things, either the module in your HEI went out or the 12volt source to the HEI is not connecting. Try those.

[mr402]

Check all of the above first. You could also throw a timing light on it while cranking. That will tell you if you have spark and when it's occuring. If it's way off you might want to check your timing chain. Not a frequent problem but it's been known to happen.

[Premium72]

you wont see the spark in the plug wire. you have to have the plug in it or a screwdriver in it and arc it to the block or sumthing grounded while some one turns the key. sound like a spark/ignition problem. just hit up orielys and get yer parts slap em in an let er rip ....good luk.

[agronomya]

Thanks for all the info gentlemen. I kinda figured it was something in the ignition area just wanted to get some opinions before I went out and blew part of the ol' paycheck as grad school doesn't pay that well.
I plan to overhaul the HEI a little but I started lookin at parts after postin this earlier and an overhaul would cost almost as much as a new dizzy. I plan to pull it and if the shaft has any play in it I'll just run to Scoggin Dickey and buy a new one.
I've never really timed an engine before. My main question is if I pull the dist. and mark the position of the rotor and reinstall it at the same position will it be close enough to run? Then I'd just have to set the rest of the timing. Could anyone explain or post a link of how to set the time for and HEI engine. I know there are different steps for the vacuum and mech advance so I don't want to mess it up.
Thanks for all the help.

AA

[VetteVet]

The first thing to do is check wire to the Bat terminal on the distributor with the key on ignition and see if you've got 12 volts there. If not then you need to trace the wire back to the source ( key switch, or fuse block ) if so then you have a distributor problem ( module,coil,rotor etc.). The engine should crank over in neutral and park.