It ALMOST starts
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 63
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From: houston TX
It ALMOST starts
hey. i am trying to get my '74 going, bc it has been sitting for the past four years. i have a new distributor, cables, spark plugs, and ignition coil? am i missing something? i think my next venture will be a new starter, but would anything else be preventing this. it almost turns over but doesn't quite get going. could it be the fuel pump....or something i'm not thinking of? thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,896
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Re: It ALMOST starts (wigi93)
Maybe the battery.
I'm in Houston. I'd LOVE to come and help you get your 74 running. If you would like to meet up, shoot me an IM...
Cheers.
Aaron :chevy
[Modified by Aaron-74, 10:09 PM 8/29/2002]
I'm in Houston. I'd LOVE to come and help you get your 74 running. If you would like to meet up, shoot me an IM...
Cheers.
Aaron :chevy
[Modified by Aaron-74, 10:09 PM 8/29/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 18,477
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From: Quincy IL
Re: It ALMOST starts (Aaron-74)
check the points, they can corrode over time. have someone turn the car over and see if gas is squirting in the carb. if not it could be the fuel pump,a clogged fuel filter which could lead to a rusty corroded gas tank. if you've moved the distributor the timing may be way off, as much as 180 degrees. you might be on the exhaust stroke instead of the compression stroke. if your distributor has been converted to an HEI type, check the ignition module and pick-up coil and make sure the hot wired to the dist is "hot".
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: It ALMOST starts (wigi93)
To start an engine, you need:
1) Spark
2) Fuel
3) Air / Compression
4) Proper valve and spark timing
Check off each of the above and you should have an engine that starts and runs, assuming you have a good battery and starter.
1) Spark
2) Fuel
3) Air / Compression
4) Proper valve and spark timing
Check off each of the above and you should have an engine that starts and runs, assuming you have a good battery and starter.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,896
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From: CO
Re: It ALMOST starts (Gary79)
have someone turn the car over and see if gas is squirting in the carb.
Is the car even turning over? If not then its pry the starter/battery. :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 795
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From: Madison MS
Re: It ALMOST starts (wigi93)
it almost turns over but doesn't quite get going. could it be the fuel pump....or something i'm not thinking of? thanks.
dl
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,943
Likes: 44
From: Florham Park NJ Port Credit Ontario
Re: It ALMOST starts (dladd74roadster)
I just went thru this 2 weeks ago. As john said, an engine needs 3 things: air, fuel and spark.
It sounds to me as though your starter turns over the engine but it wont fire. I had the same problem.
1) make sure the carb is getting fuel.
2) check for spark(your coil could be bad) pull off #1 plug wire, stick a long screwdriver in the end of the wire and hold it close to something in the engine compartment that is grounded while cranking the engine.
3) make sure your distributor was installed @ TDC and that your points are set properly.
if you follow these tips it will fire.
It sounds to me as though your starter turns over the engine but it wont fire. I had the same problem.
1) make sure the carb is getting fuel.
2) check for spark(your coil could be bad) pull off #1 plug wire, stick a long screwdriver in the end of the wire and hold it close to something in the engine compartment that is grounded while cranking the engine.
3) make sure your distributor was installed @ TDC and that your points are set properly.
if you follow these tips it will fire.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 63
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From: houston TX
Re: It ALMOST starts (dladd74roadster)
so where is the fuel pump? would that be where the cable is connected to something under the gas tank. i would venture to guess it is a gas problem bc i don't SEE gas going into the carb, but we have been shooting starter fluid into it...which from what i have been told is ether. so i am thinking it is the gas pump. how would i remove it...and is it something i could clean off, or would i need to have it done profeessionally if not get a new one? thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,631
Likes: 14
From: Fountain Hills AZ
Re: It ALMOST starts (wigi93)
You need the clarify the "almost turns over" part. If the starter isn't turning the engine, the problem is in the starting system, i.e., starter, battery, connections, etc.. If the engine is turning over but not starting, the problem is elsewhere. Does it do anything? Make any noises?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: houston TX
Re: It ALMOST starts (Vetterodder)
well, it turns the engine, but i think i am needing something along the lines of carb tips or fuel pump tips. someone mentioned seeing fuel rush into the carb...which i have not seen? should i check out the fuel system? where would i start?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,631
Likes: 14
From: Fountain Hills AZ
Re: It ALMOST starts (wigi93)
If you're getting fuel to the carb, and the accelerator pump is working, you should see (with the air cleaner removed) gas being squirted into the front bores of the carb. Keep in mind that the supply to the accelerator pump is only good for a few shots untill replenished by turning the engine over. IMHO, you may need help from a pro or someone more experienced than yourself in order to find the problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,635
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From: Union Ontario
Re: It ALMOST starts (Vetterodder)
Make sure you have gas in the tank..... don't laugh, I've done it and I almost kicked its tire I was so pissed.
My suggestion is pour some gas down the carb..... try and start it, sometimes this will be enough to get the car started and stay running( Sometimes you can get air in your fuel lines and its a bitch to prime the pump).
If this doesn't work, disconnect the fuel line from the carb, turn over the engine, if fuel pours out the carb or filter is plugged. If it doesn't pour out furl, go one step back, dis connect your fuel inlet line to the pump, if gas pours out then you know the pump needs replacing. If it doesn't closely inspect the fuel line for kinks or areas where it could be pinched off. If there are no kinks or pinches then you'll have to pull the tank and inspect it but you'll probably find the problem before then.
My suggestion is pour some gas down the carb..... try and start it, sometimes this will be enough to get the car started and stay running( Sometimes you can get air in your fuel lines and its a bitch to prime the pump).
If this doesn't work, disconnect the fuel line from the carb, turn over the engine, if fuel pours out the carb or filter is plugged. If it doesn't pour out furl, go one step back, dis connect your fuel inlet line to the pump, if gas pours out then you know the pump needs replacing. If it doesn't closely inspect the fuel line for kinks or areas where it could be pinched off. If there are no kinks or pinches then you'll have to pull the tank and inspect it but you'll probably find the problem before then.
