No start

[Jcunningham14]

Hey everyone!

New to this site, so thanks in advance for all the help!

I have a 71 convertible with a 302 Windsor in it. I was having some fuel pump problems, so I changed it. No problem. The issue I'm having now is after I've changed the fuel pump I can't get it to turn over. The engine cranks, just won't start. I can see looking down the carb that it's getting fuel. I have changed the plugs, wires, distributor cap and coil. Still nothing. I have used a spark tester and am not getting spark from the coil to the distributor. I know very little about wiring and electrical systems.... Any advice or ideas on how to help me out?

Thanks!

 

[will e]

Howdy and welcome to the board. Is it 'trying to start' or just nothing?

Take a wire from the positive battery terminal to the positive small post on the coil. See if it starts. If it does you will need to disconnect this temporary wire to kill the engine.

 

[Jcunningham14]

It's trying to start, just won't quite get there. I've now got power going from battery to coil, coil to distributer and that's where it stops. No power going out to plugs. I've changed the cap, rotor and wires... Any thoughts?

 

[TheRktmn]

Is there spark coming out of the coil?

If not:

Make sure that the ground wire is connected inside the distributor.

If points, check your point gap. If Pertronix or another electronic pick-up, test it per the manufacturer's instructions.

If there is:

Check that the rotor is installed

Check that the rotor is the correct one

Try the old rotor

Check the coil wire from coil to cap is not broken, missing an end (I've seen it happen), etc.

Are you getting fire from the cap to the plugs?

If you are, check your firing order.

If you're not:

Check that the rotor is installed

Check that the rotor is the correct one

Try the old rotor

If it's firing in START position but won't RUN when key is released, bypass the tach.

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

Is there spark coming out of the coil?

If not:

Make sure that the ground wire is connected inside the distributor.

If points, check your point gap. If Pertronix or another electronic pick-up, test it per the manufacturer's instructions.

If there is:

Check that the rotor is installed

Check that the rotor is the correct one

Try the old rotor

Check the coil wire from coil to cap is not broken, missing an end (I've seen it happen), etc.

Are you getting fire from the cap to the plugs?

If you are, check your firing order.

If you're not:

Check that the rotor is installed

Check that the rotor is the correct one

Try the old rotor

If it's firing in START position but won't RUN when key is released, bypass the tach.

Excellent summary

 

[kidwithfastback=fast]

+1 Jeff, ur the man.

I would take a look at your pertronix/points in the distributor. Points need to be adjusted every now and then. Also look at the lobes and see if theyre worn too far.

 

[kcmash]

+1 Jeff, ur the man.

I would take a look at your pertronix/points in the distributor. Points need to be adjusted every now and then. Also look at the lobes and see if theyre worn too far.

I would take a small piece of emery paper and clean the contacts on the points. That's all it took to start my brother's car after sitting for 7 years.