Help us get our 69 camaro started

Hey everyone. We have a 69 camaro that has been sitting for a while, that will not start.

It has 12.5:1 compression, and with only 1 spark plug in, the starter can barely turn the engine over, it mainly stops on the compression stroke, then runs fine, then stops on the compression stroke. It is way worse when all 8 spark plugs are in. We are getting spark in the engine, but we know the timing is way off. The engine does spin pretty freely with NO spark plugs, but it doesn't go very fast.

The car has always started slow like I posted above, but after about 10 revolutions of the engine, it would finally start. Would you guys say it is time for a new starter? Also, we were trying to start it with a battery charger on 12 volt start.

After trying to start it for about an hour, I noticed that the engine still wasn't getting gas. Is this because the fuel lines are gunked up, or is it because the engine will hardly turn over?

Right now, were thinking of getting a new starter (hopefully hi torque) to see if we can get the engine spinning faster.

I personally think that if the engine was getting gas, it might have the potential of starting (if we adjusted the timing) so how do we get it to get gas?

If you need any more info, just ask.. Thanks for anyone who can help!

EDIT* Does anyone have a good starter for sale? I'm looking for one that is cheap, it is the straight bolt starter also.

Once again, thanks :)

yeah, look into the high torque starters...

yeah sounds like the starter has just gone bad, or you arent getting power to it. check all your connections to the starter for corrotion or loose connections, clean everything up, and tighten everything down, check your wiring for evidence of mice eating off insulation, burned wires, or anything like that. once you know your circuit is in good shape, youll know its the starter being weak. but id check the wiring before buying a starter, it would suck to drop the dime and have the new starter do the same thing cuz you have a power supply problem.

You can also try to pull start it. Even with a auto trans if you git it to about 30 mph should do somthing. I tend to do that if the car has sit a long time. let her see some speed agen just mite git it going. hope you git it

Never heard of anyone pull starting an auto before. Have you actually DONE it?? How???

yeah, im thinkin its a bit difficult with the converter, i wouldnt think you would get enough friction between the turbine blades, especially going forward. youd have to push the car backwards, in a forward gear. i dunno, sounds a bit shady tome.

The people who had it before us totally screwded up the wiring. But like I said, it did run before, so the wiring should be the same (it is in a garage, so no rust)

Theres no way I can "pull" start it unless I got a team of about 12 people to push it up my street, maby even more.

But, if we got the engine spinning faster (lets say we did get a starter) do you guys think gas will start getting to it?

yes, because unless i am mistaken, you have a mechanical fuel pump, meaning that if your engine is only slowly turning, it wont have much line pressure, once it starts turning at a normal speed, it will pump up fast enough to maintain normal fuel flow.

well lets start recruiting for the pull team, im nominating myself whip cracker and supervisor. who else is down??

haha whip cracker... yea and im the co supervisor and in charge of tools!!!!

Yes you would need something to pull it with. You can pull start a auto trans car iv done it with a jeep 's-10 'and a camaro. Im from arkansas that mite have something to do with it ha ha. not trying to start shit trying to help

Yup, it's a mechanical fuel pump. I would of asked my dad that, but I keep forgetting.

Also, how would you do it? Could you put it in neutral then put it in drive to try and start it? Or would you have to go in reverse then pt it in drive?

The reason I ask, is because at the drag races, some idiot with a mustang thought he was cool, so he put his car in neutral, reved it up to 6 or 7 grand, then put it in drive.. must of been a high tow-truck bill... that's all I can say :lol: :rolleyes:

Man i just git on thr road put it in drive and pull for a mile or 2. mabe its not good to do but it hasent hurt yet. eneway i hope you git it runing. i have a 4 speed in my 69ss now and a good starter no more pulling her