Help! It won't start

[cwb]

Here's the story: Rebuilt the carb (Jim C), rebuilt head (decked, 305 valves), complete desmog...put it all back together with new gaskets everywhere. Drove it for a week, had a pinging problem I never figured out, blew a radiator hose, overheated, and blew the head gasket. Pulled it apart, replaced the head gasket, put it back together like before. Now it won't start. It turns over strong with no irregular sounds. It's getting fuel, and I sprayed starter fluid into the carb to be sure. The plugs and wires are good, as far as I know. I didnt' touch distributor, so it shouldn't be out of time.

Could the carb have gotten out of adjustment? Where should I look first? Thanks for advice.

 

[Doc]

My first check would be to make sure each plug is sparking.

Pull the plug, ground it with a aligator clip or something similar, and turn the key. Make sure each one is lighting up.

How do you know it's getting fuel?

 

[cwb]

I know it's getting fuel because I can unscrew the main fuel line into the carb and it's running out. Also, even without fuel it should start with ether, and it isn't. I'll check the plugs. I'm using SplitFire, which I never noticed gave me much improvement. What plugs do you recommend, especially keeping in mind that I had the pinging problem before?

 

[BigSur]

What plugs do you recommend, especially keeping in mind that I had the pinging problem before?

NGK plugs all the way...

 

[Landpimp]

or ND, both are listed as OEM, I use ND myself even in my boat.

NGK plugs all the way...

 

[cwb]

Since I've had the pinging problem, should I use the "colder" plug, say a NGK BPR5EY? I saw some discussion on this a few days ago.

 

[jhstatts]

I used the NGK BPR5EY plugs when I did my tune-up. I like them so far, but I think my 60 idled better with the "hotter" NGKs.

 

[fsusteve]

Check yer timing anyways and the valves.

 

[cwb]

Installed new NGK BPR5EYs yesterday, but still won't start. what's the easiest way to check to see if it's getting fire? It's gotta be fire, right?

 

[patride71]

mine did the same thing and ended up being the igniter after figuring out it wasn't the plugs.

ended up getting a used igniter from one of the guys here at ih8mud for $50.

 

[Doc]

. what's the easiest way to check to see if it's getting fire? It's gotta be fire, right?

The only way I know of to check is to pull the plug out, plug it back into the spark plug wire, and also use something to ground the plug to the block. Then try to start the car, if it's firing, you'll see a spark.