DTOM said:Once again, I hope I don't offend you with a direct message. Your post was really helpful a few weeks ago. I have been working slowly on the car, but still don't have it back up. If you have the time, I think i could use some additional thoughts on what I am seeing.
Here is where I am at now:
1) Timing cover, water pump, fan, etc are all back together.
2) I replaced the coil to distributor lead. The old one was iffy on the ohmmeter. Although, both sections read 0 once I got it off.
3) I have a good spark on the engine block from the plug wire when cranking.
Going back to the service manual
1) It looks like the ignition passes the first test for diagnosing the car not starting. Test #1 is engine cranks and plug wire sparks when held 1/4 inch from the block. The manual says go to the timing (I am reading that as distributor since I have already been into the timing chain) if it passes this test.
2) Step one for the distributor is to turn the rotor and see if it comes back to its original position. The rotor is pretty stiff / sticky (read that as slightly) and does not come back. I replaced the springs on the weights, but no change. Also, going back to what I found at TDC, the rotor ends up between 2 and 1, closer to 2 than 1.
I am thinking it may be the distributor, but don't want to replace if I don't have too.
Once again, curious if you thought I was in the right direction now or chasing a rabbit down another hole?
if your getting spark at the plugs your next step would be in most cases to use a timing light to set the timing per the shop manual instructions, but Ill post a bit of info on checking out the distrib. also
yes it will take you some time but it will be worth the effort to read thru the links and sub linked info below look I know its going to take some research, and testing, Im well aware is frustrating,
but randomly replacing components is a rather expensive and far from effective way to fix the issue
and while reading links <AND SUB LINKS) might be painful , but it will lead you to the source of the problem
you need to get a shop manual, and multi meter and start checking each stage of the process
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If you look over the threads on this and most other sites related to cars you'll see a recurring theme,and that theme is related to the total frustration many guys seem to feel when the car engine won,t run or run correctly, and for some reason the average response is to start throwing random guess work list of new parts at the problem, rather than stepping back, and doing a logical list of tests and braking out the shop manual, multi meter, vacuum and fuel pressure gauges and a timing light and using the tools too isolate the source of the problem by testing sensors,electrical connections and function of each related component , AFTER RESEARCHING the problem.
the basics remain the same
you need compression ],
which means the rings and valves must seal the cylinder and the cam lobe timing must be CORRECTLY indexed to the crank rotation
YOU NEED FUEL
which means the carburetor or injectors on the engine must get an adequate flow and consistent pressure, and must atomize that fuel and mix it with air flow in the proper ratio.
YOU NEED ignition
which means the spark plugs must fire, or arc, at the proper time in relation to piston location as the crank and cam rotate,with a spark or adequate heat and duration to ignite the compressed fuel air mix
YOU NEED AN UN RESTRICTED AIR FLOW ]
which requires that both the intake manifold and exhaust system allow near unrestricted flow into and out of the engine
YOUR ENGINE MUST BE PROPERLY LUBRICATED
which both reduces heat and wear and keeps the engine from seizing up, or getting into detonation or having parts fail from heat stress
YOU NEED A COOLING SYSTEM
to maintain the engines operational temperature in its intended range, and reduce wear and parts failure so the lubrication and cooling systems, operate together.
ALL THE SENSORS MUST WORK, SO CHECK YOUR ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS, FUSES AND GROUNDS
if one or more of these functions or the sensors that control these functions fails your engine won,t operate correctly so its your job to isolate the problem