Have a 68 350, with a 73 4 barrel carb. Finally got everything together and running. Drove it for about 3 days. I decided to clean the carb, as I do not know anything about it, (such as if ever rebuilt). It started smoking bad, backfired and quit. Now it won't start. Removed plugs, #1 was "as black as the ace of spades" the rest were not quite as bad. Replaced plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and points, still won't start. Also replaced coil with another I had. Any ideas? You think I broke loose some crud in the carb and plugged something up? I do not know much about carbs. Thanks
Did you pull the carb apart when you cleaned it? You may just need to pull it apart, clean it up, and make sure you blow out all the little tiny ports and crevices with compressed air before you reassemble. This is a good lesson in carb rebuilding. It's the only way you'll ever learn how to do it!:beer
No I did'nt pull it apart, I just used the spray stuff with the motor running. I'm sure I could do a thorough (sp) clean or rebuild just have not taken the time to do it. I have the (Red Book) and the Doug Roe book are there any others that are good?
John, Our engines are very simple. If you have a no start condition, either fuel or spark is missing. (usually) Work the throttle and look down the throat of the carb. You should see 2 streams of fuel spray if there is gas in the carb. No spray, check the fuel filter, line, and pump. Then check for spark. Pull a wire off any plug, and position it within a 1/4" of a metal ground. Crank the engine and look for a spark. When you replaced the points, did you check the gap?
I recently installed a new set of points that were so far off on the dwell that I had a tough time getting it to start as well. I usually start by looking at the old points and adjusting the new set by eye to be as close to the old set as possible. Do this by turning the hex screw on the points. This should get you close enough to start the car. Then use a dwell meter to fine tune the dwell by inserting an allen wrench in the window on the side of the cap and turning the hex screw on the points. Dwell should be 30*.
John, Take the distributor cap and rotor off. Then tap the starter, or crank the motor by hand until the rubbing block of the points is on one of the high points of the distributor cam. Now look at the gap. Should be the width of a matchbook cover. (.017) Adjust the gap by using an allen wrench. You should have spark now.
Ya'll are genius's. I knew it had to be something simple. It was the points, I did'nt think they would be that far off out of the box. Thanks for the help
