Averystingray75

Update:
I got it running. The rotor on the distributer loosend up and threw off timing to keep it from starting. Once fixed it fired right up as usual. Something I never would have thought to check in general maintenance over time but I will now!

Original: Went to start the vette after a long winter and rainy spring.... won’t start ��
I started it about 4 months ago and it had trouble, flooded engine. I charged battery next day I coaxed it into running.
I haven’t changed a single thing now after 2 battery charges it simply won’t fire up won’t even sputter. I’ve had this engine and holly carb for 7 years now and it’s always fired up even after sitting.
It’s Getting gas that I’m sure. This evening I’ll check spark when I get some help.
Would a carb get so bad from sitting it could go from working to not?
What about my distributer it’s a newer cap but a cheap one. Should I look into that?
I’m looking for suggestions of things to look into when I get back to it later ...


update: I have spark. Not sure it’d it’s good spark or not but I have it.

Ok I got back into it and I have spark.

The rotor was loose on my distributer one screw was completely backed out l tightened up but my battery is dead again from cranking and engine smells of gas bad so it’s probably flooded again.... back to charging and waiting to try again.




The cap and rotor only have 5k miles, plugs and wires have maybe 3k or less. Everything is pretty newish. Distributer itself (weights and shaft) are older but it’s accel hei aftermarket never let me down before.

But that loose cap in the distributer is a clue so I’ll charge my battery and get back to it tomorrow....


UPDATE IT RUNS NOW:
distributer rotor came loose over time (short
time) and threw timing off

MelWff

Is the choke closing?
You have to determine if you are getting spark at the plugs.
When you open the throttle by hand while looking down the primary side of the carburetor do you see gas squirting into the throat of the carburetor?

Bikespace

Exactly. My 79 acts like this when it is vapor locked. If you have fuel at the carb (as above), it will be something else, but if you don't, look at fuel filter, fuel pump, fuel line, or gunk in the tank.

Averystingray75

Yes choke working fine
gas squirting like normal
spark plus have spark. Seems weak but it’s there not sure what to do next

WARVETT

I had a similar issue and I think it was the battery. After they get past a certain point, all the charging in the world won’t give it what you need to have the starter turn quick enough to light off the engine.

OldCarBum

Check your battery cables for corrosion under the insulation, especially the ground.

Averystingray75

Thanks for everyone helping
turns out the cap came loose on my distributer and kept it from running

leason learned check the cap every year for loosening
I have HEI system and always works great.
just a check for those out there

cabman72

Maybe put lock washers on the rotor screws so it won't come loose again.