What am I doing wrong?????????????

JimM · Post by **JimM** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 5:21 pm

I gave my car a tune up--oil change,points, and plugs, rotor and dist cap. Now it won't start. I have done everything by the book and yes I am using the #4 cylinder for the timing. I can't even get a cough, all it does is crank. I know it is something stupid on my part so please help. I have a '78 1800 dual point converted to single points(second set unhooked)and carbed. I did not touch the carb at all. It may be a day or two before I can try any suggestions out as I work at night and sleep during the day. Have to go to my daughters track meet now so nothing until at least tomorrow.

kilrwail · Post by **kilrwail** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 5:30 pm

I can FEEL your frustration! Go get some sleep, then check all electrical connections at the distributor, coil and plugs. Then check the point gap. Make sure the distributor cap is not pinching a wire at its base, thereby breaking the insulation and grounding it accidentally. You know how to do this

Tappy · Post by **Tappy** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 5:38 pm

JimM wrote:I gave my car a tune up--oil change,points, and plugs, rotor and dist cap. Now it won't start. I have done everything by the book and yes I am using the #4 cylinder for the timing. I can't even get a cough, all it does is crank. I know it is something stupid on my part so please help. I have a '78 1800 dual point converted to single points(second set unhooked)and carbed. I did not touch the carb at all. It may be a day or two before I can try any suggestions out as I work at night and sleep during the day. Have to go to my daughters track meet now so nothing until at least tomorrow.

I read stupid and i had to chime in here

I've recently had some problems with my electronic ignition upgrade so i decided to go back old shool , points. I also put back the distributor same way as the electronic was with no luck @ all

Anyway you should check if you have sparks with a spare plug , if so the problem can be timing or fuell. If you didn't touch the carb i probably isn't the problem , but i wont hurt to see if you see fuell squirting into the carb as you press the accelerator pedal. If both these you have , next solution might work

My problem was solved turning the distributor until he finally catched on , a timing light may come in handy , and dont keep your head above the carb , a backfire wil get you bold and burned in seconds

GL

mgribbins · Post by **mgribbins** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 2:23 am

If it was running before the tune up then it has to be lack of spark. Are the points opening? Is the wire to the points connected poperly?

JimM · Post by **JimM** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:27 pm

First off--Thanks to all!!!! I lgot to watch my daughter clear 7'6" in the pole vault-a personal record, went to work for an uneventful night,got a good days sleep and started again on the car. Started by getting the old volt meter out and checking the hot wires to everything. The lead going to the distributor was not hot. Since I had switched to a single points set up, I checked the other lead and it was fine. So after switching the two lead wires around the little bugger started right up. Anyway, Thanks again for the help. It is soothing to the mind to realize that others have the same frustrations when working with a piece of mindless(are we sure?) machinery.

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:50 pm

yup, always retrace your steps. almost always find the solution buried in one of the last things you changed.

and, like Peter said... a day away can be very refreshing.

What am I doing wrong?????????????

What am I doing wrong?????????????

Re: What am I doing wrong?????????????

Re: What am I doing wrong?????????????

Re: What am I doing wrong?????????????

Re: What am I doing wrong?????????????

Re: What am I doing wrong?????????????