Just picked up my 79 vette the other day from the docks. Just imported from New York into the UK.

When i tried to start it, it fired up but then spluttered a bit and after trying to keep the engine going it cut out on me. Having looked at the fuel guage i decided that the shipping company had drained it out so i put 2 gallon in and tried again. Still nothing, checked the battery and found it was only just making contact, shippers in the UK hadn't reconnected it.

So battery connected, fuel in the tank, attempt to start... just turns & turns, sounds like possibly a couple of cylinders trying to fire but it wont turn over. Tried a few more times then I could smell fuel so i guessed the carb was flooded, flat floored the gas pedal and tried to crank, still nothing. It really sounded like it was going to turn over but sadly it didn't. I called the breakdown service who connected the jump start leads & tried again. After about 90 mins we gave up, called in a breakdown truck and transported it the 300 mile home.

Next day i tried again, still wont start!!

I really don't understand how it fired once but not just doesn't want to know. I've had the distributor cap off and cleaned it up, sprayed it with WD40, i've visually inspected the carb and it doesn't look like there's any muck in the bowls. We've tried jamming the choke open and trying to start which still hasn't work.
A local garage has suggested its possibly the plugs are soaked with fuel & to clamp off the fuel line then try for a few minutes to start it which should dry off the plugs. I'm not optimistic though.
Anyone have any ideas?

 

Obviously, you have fuel (you can smell it!), so the next thing to check is ignition.

Have you pulled a plug and checked for spark?

 

Stupid Questions,
Are you pumping the gas? Is the chock closed? Are you getting spark at the plugs?

Sounds like a bad ignition module.

 

Have you tried a good shot of ether aerosol starting fluid?
If it sounds like it is going to turn over that might push it over the edge. Starting fluid worked on my vette after it had been sitting for three years, even with spoiled gasoline in the lines.

When that engine does fire and continues to run it will be music to your ears.

Good Luck!

 

welcome....start with the basics....make sure you have spark at plugs, fuel in carb....was it running when it left the states?

 

It was running when it left the USA. There's definately fuel getting into the carb, we've taken the air cleaner top off & looked down the bowls while pushing the gas pedal & its squirting fuel in there.
Tried jamming the choke on full and starting it with no luck.
It did start thought just the once, but spluttered and i couldnt keep it going, that was when i thought it was out of gas and put 2 gallon in. Pumped it through and after that no joy.

Unfortunately i dont have the best of areas to work in where the car is and haven't been able to get it up a height to get a plug out, i've checked and there doesn't seem to be any way to get to the plugs from the topside of the car.

The battery is dead now so i've got it on charge, someone said that the L82's are a bugger to start if the battery is anything less than 100% charged?

 

try starter fluid......if it doesn't start with this you may not be getting a spark...

 

You ruined your spark plugs. The plugs can take a little gas on them but when you keep pouring it on them, they are trash. Most people dont realize this. Replace the plugs and you will the fine. Rule of thumb is to replace the wires with the plugs. Im willing to bet it will start right up after you finish. And dont give it any gas when starting!

 

The battery is dead now so i've got it on charge, someone said that the L82's are a bugger to start if the battery is anything less than 100% charged?[/QUOTE]

Not true about the L-82 350.
Charge the battery,if it cranks ok then check the wires for spark, check the #1 cylinder at TDC to see if the rotor is firing the #1 wire, if not - timing chain jumped a tooth. If you have gas, you need spark in time with the engine. If no spark look in the distributor,could be coil,modual, pickup coil. You'll get it just takes time.
Good luck,
You bought a bloody corvette!
Gary

 

 

Since the tank was drained I bet the remaining fuel and sediment went into the fuel filter when you first tried to start it. The fuel filter(s) might be plugged. Change the filter(s), plugs and wires and I bet you will be all set.

 

My sisters 56 t-bird acted up just like you described. It was the mech fuel pump losing prime. It would smell like gas & look wet in the carb, but it would only hit w/gas or start fluid shot down the carb.