will. not. start.

[steved033]

I've got fuel, air and spark. It coughs and coughs. I've tried a dozen different timing positions and it reacts correctly for those positions. I have the correct dwell.

The car sat for a long time. This is nothing new to me. I successfully resurrected a Healey that sat for 40 years. But man, this one is fighting me. Its a 68 fury III with a 383.

what am I missing ??

im half inclined to believe that the exhaust is packed shut.

sjd

 

[Big_John]

Is the distributor 180° out? Easy mistake to make.

 

[theos911]

Way before I was around, my dad got a "non-running" 56 T-Bird for peanuts because of that issue.

 

[steved033]

Is the distributor 180° out? Easy mistake to make.

nope. Tried that too. I will double check though.

sjd

 

[theos911]

Plugs fouled?

 

[steved033]

Plugs fouled?

No. They're new, and have been removed and cleaned once.

 

[steved033]

It will be something stupid. I just know it...

it doesn't turn over as strong as I think it would. Maybe a weak starter???

 

[goodneighbour]

Points and condenser? Just because there is spark dont mean it is enough, are they new? How much slop is in the timing chain? Grab ahold of the crank pulley and turn it counterclockwise and watch your rotor,if the crank moves over half an inch before the rotor moves ya got a stretched chain or the nylon gears are breaking apart.

 

[steved033]

new points, new condenser. had some issues with the new points...fixed it, definitely have dwell (points are working, things are sparking)

I've turned the crank manually...everything is turning correctly, it feels maybe a little tight...but i'm used to inline 6's...(BMWs, 240z, healey...)

sjd

 

[53ryder]

Bad gas? Clogged fuel filter?

Glenn

 

[oldtinkerer]

also check compression valves stuck open

 

[steved033]

Glenn, new fuel filter, old pump, tank is clean. I purged the line so no old bad gas got into the new carb.

i'll pop the valve covers to see if anything is stuck...

sjd

 

[detmatt]

Does it only show signs of wanting to fire when the key is in the start position?

 

[1978 NYB]

Get a can of starting fluid, take off the air cleaner, have someone crank the car for you and give it a shot of starting fluid. Be careful and not use too much....it's very flammable!!!

That way you'll know whether it's a fuel or ignition issue.....

 

[steved033]

Does it only show signs of wanting to fire when the key is in the start position?

Simply...yes. there's definitely combustion...just not enough...

I'll give some feedback now that I have a small list of things to try..

sjd

 

[66SportFury]

Have you tried pulling a plug or 2 to see if they are wet with fuel? Could be flooded? Also, try to hold the gas pedal to the floor while cranking, just until it fires up.

 

[Ripinator]

Check the coil. Sometimes they just go bad from sitting. . . Also, make sure you are getting 12 volts to the coil. Check connections, grounds, etc.

 

[Mr C]

Is the choke set properly?

 

[steved033]

New coil, plugs slightly wet. There is spark...its almost like not two or three plugs are firing. It almost catches, but not quite. I'll know more tomorrow and Sunday.

Sjd.

 

[tbm3fan]

New coil, plugs slightly wet. There is spark...its almost like not two or three plugs are firing. It almost catches, but not quite. I'll know more tomorrow and Sunday.

Sjd.

Since slightly wet you clearly have fuel and the plugs are getting soaked as you try to start each time. If it were me and I had already run a check on my coil to see if I was turning out the correct voltage under start and run I do this next. Take a spare plug and remove one wire at a time to insert the spare plug in. Then turn over the engine and see if you get a spark for each plug. If you do then I would have to say it would boil down to something dealing with the timing sequence.

As an example I had to change my timing set out in my car back in 2009. Mostly in the semi-dark at the curb since that is where the car was. Have down this on all four of my Fords several times. Got everything buttoned up nice and snug. Looked really good from the front but the car wouldn't start. Went through the plug routine and had spark at every plug. Thought I would. Then I just keep the #1 plug out, connected a timing light, and turned over the engine. The plug fired, the timing light fired, but the spot on the balancer was all black. Oh, oh. Yep, I had managed to get the timing set in 180 off. I wasn't going back in so adjusted the wires and #6 became #1. Who ever gets this car after me is going to have a fun time trying to set the timing if I have already passed away and took the secret with me.