Ideas????

I have a 1984 Z 305 HO - just rebuilt trying to get it to start. Got fuel got fire - timing should be close enough. Tried the manual HEI vac advance distributor of of my old GMC pickup but did not get fire - is that ECM related? I'm pulling what little hair that I have left out - any tips hints or suggestions apprecated.

fuel injected or carb?

carb - have tried both the original and the one off the old truck

bad coil??

Could be a coil problem but I do get spark with the original coil and distributor - might not put out enough voltage though - how do you check one - nothing in my Haynes - 2. I also know the distributor out of my 82 GMC with vac advance is good cause the old girl starts right up and runs but gives no spark in the camaro. This has to have something to do with the ECM - I figure and wonder if there is something I may have missed in the wiring or something weird. Thanks for all of the ideas - keep them coming and I'll keep trying.
ken

Have you checked for voltage at the cap? With the key at run, there should be 12V at the BATT terminal on the HEI cap. This is for the primary, and there will be no spark without it. Another common error is the distributor is installed 180 degrees out.

I'm sure the ECM isn't the problem, since you've tried the vac adv model distributor.

I have a 1984 Z 305 HO - just rebuilt trying to get it to start. Got fuel got fire - timing should be close enough. Tried the manual HEI vac advance distributor of of my old GMC pickup but did not get fire - is that ECM related? I'm pulling what little hair that I have left out - any tips hints or suggestions apprecated.You state you have "fuel" and "fire" (by fire it sounds like you mean spark).Even if the timing was way off you would still have some cyls firing (I can make an engine try to run backwards).I will assume you saw spark, what method did you use to verify the injectors were squirting fuel during cranking?"REFUSE TO LOSE"

you say it's carbureted but you think you have a bad ecm?

carbureted engines dont use an ecm, unless your confusing it with tbi

you say it's carbureted but you think you have a bad ecm?

carbureted engines dont use an ecm, unless your confusing it with tbi
There is such a thing as an electronic Carb. it was used in the early 80's stuff, my cousin had an electronic Carburetor on his 84 Berlinetta with a 305. I think they do have an ECM, but, I am not positive. Basically for an internal combustion engine to run you need a working fuel system, ignition, external rotation from the starter, and all the wires and Vaccum lines need to be hooked up correctly. I think it is either vaccum lines or a fuel problem, such as a bad fuel pump or a clogged fuel filter. Hope this helps.