jasonmac Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Car has been sitting around for 6 months and I need to start it now. The engine cranks but doesn't want to cough into life. I have a fresh tank of fuel and a new battery. I have taken the spark plugs out, they all looked good, no deposits or wear. Cranked the engine with them out, put them in again with same result. Appreciate any suggestions for a newb. Cheers Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dat2kman Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Check for spark, connect a spark plug to a lead, hold it to ground/engine get someone to crank it. Check for fuel supply into engine, are plugs wet/smelly? As long as timing, /distibuoto has not been loosened/rotated, and you have spark and fuel, it should cough into life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1600dave Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Are you cranking it long enough ? May take a while to get fuel up from the tank to the carbs, fill the float chambers, etc. Spray some "Start ya bastard" into the carbs, see if that gets it to fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Zedman240® Posted September 23, 2014 Moderators Share Posted September 23, 2014 Go to basics.... Engine needs three things to run, fuel, air and spark. If you can verify its getting all three without doubt, it has to run. Sounds like there aint no fuel..mechanical or electric fuel pump? Remove the fuel "in" hose and make sure fuel is coming out while cranking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators PB260Z Posted September 23, 2014 Moderators Share Posted September 23, 2014 Car has been sitting around for 6 months and I need to start it now. The engine cranks but doesn't want to cough into life. I have a fresh tank of fuel and a new battery. I have taken the spark plugs out, they all looked good, no deposits or wear. Cranked the engine with them out, put them in again with same result. Appreciate any suggestions for a newb. Cheers Jason Hi Whereabouts in Syd are you ? If you don't have any luck, and it is not to far, I might be able to drop over and give you a hand. Cheers PB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonmac Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share Posted September 23, 2014 Definitely tried cranking for a while, battery is now low so recharging. Will try advice given once the battery is charged again. Thanks for the suggestions. PB, thanks a ton for the offer of help. I have sent a PM. Cheers, Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoota G Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 New plugs. Mine used to do that just sitting there too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmates260z Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 May I suggest (based on recent experience) - if only mechanical points, take off distributor cap and turn it over to see you get a spark across the points (or hold a plug lead and get a hit if you like that type of thing) - if no spark (unlikely) then you have an ignition problem. Coil, etc. - if you get a spark, take off air cleaner and spray "Start You Bastard" into the intake. - if you do not get a kick, its still the ignition problem - if it kicks and will not run its a fuel problem. Assuming you have SU's, take off each fuel bowl and see if there is any fuel in there (careful not to lose the float needle). I would guess that there will be no fuel and potentially the needle is stuck. I had one stuck open and the other shut! - if that's OK it would have to be a blocked fuel filter or a fuel pump not working Good luck with that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilltech Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 I would go with the above advice, especially from oldmates260z. I'd say it's more than likely fuel. Modern fuels deteriorate over only a few months & as they do they can leave gummy deposits. I had a similar thing with my Mustang recently, car had sat for about 8 months & already had aged fuel in it. I had to prime the fuel lines & the pump, once the pump was primed fresh brand new fuel was drawn through & the engine eventually started & has been fine ever since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators PB260Z Posted September 24, 2014 Moderators Share Posted September 24, 2014 And the problem ? Broken points spring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonmac Posted September 24, 2014 Author Share Posted September 24, 2014 Big thanks to PB for coming out to help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmates260z Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Good pick up, have never seen that one before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators PB260Z Posted September 24, 2014 Moderators Share Posted September 24, 2014 Good pick up, have never seen that one before Nor had I, but spring steel + Hot, Cold & Age = fatigue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonmac Posted September 30, 2014 Author Share Posted September 30, 2014 I installed a new contact set, rotor and distributor cap and she kicked straight into life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoota G Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Perhaps time to upgrade to electronic dizzy or a peertronix kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators PB260Z Posted September 30, 2014 Moderators Share Posted September 30, 2014 I installed a new contact set, rotor and distributor cap and she kicked straight into life Fantastic, and you fixed it yourself, great feeling that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeds4ever Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Nice of you to help Jason out in his hour of need . Regards: Alan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators PB260Z Posted November 9, 2014 Moderators Share Posted November 9, 2014 Nice of you to help Jason out in his hour of need . Regards: Alan. Helping each other out is what this is all about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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