Engine Cranks, no start

I have an 84 Wagoneer..

When i turn the key the engine cranks, but won't start. It sounds like it wants to start but won't. This has only been happening since the temp dropped. I thought maybe fuel distribution, but when i put gas directly into the carb it still doesn't start.

I replaced the plugs and wires, checked the cap and rotor which both looked ok. I used my ohm meter to test the coil which checked out also.

The only thing I can think is that maybe I have a bad distributor or the timing might be off. How difficult is it to check these things? And how do i do it?

All advice greatly appreciated.

EDIT::

I got it to start now, but it won't stay running unless I'm pressing on the gas. And the engine does sound a little choppy as it runs. I'm thinking it's the timing. Any suggestions??

What engine do you have?

You said carb and plugs, cap and rotor and just started doing it since it got cold. Did you have any difficulty starting prior to it getting cold (like longer cranking times, had to try more than usual, etc) ?

For a carbureted engine, all you need is spark, air, and fuel. I'd suspect spark. How long has it been since a tune up - plugs, cap, and rotor? In older cars if these have gone a long time it could be the cause of a no start.

I have an 84 Wagoneer..
WOOO HOOOO!!!

An 84 and a Wagoneer to boot, (not the far- more- common Cherokee)
I have one - owned since new. I always refer to it as a Cherokee because when I say 'Wagoneer", everyone thinks it's a full-size Grand Wag.

Total POS, but it grew on me (like mold).


I got it to start now, but it won't stay running unless I'm pressing on the gas. And the engine does sound a little choppy as it runs. I'm thinking it's the timing. Any suggestions??
The timing might be off. You want 10 deg BTDC at idle, and make sure your vacuum advance is working.

But I think your problem is more likely an intake manifold leak (look for a loose, rotten or disconnected vacuum line), or...

A choke that does not close properly when cold (take off the aircleaner and look) or...
A choke pull-off that is not working properly.or...

Dirt/gum in the carburetor, which is plugging the idle circuit.(Rebuild the carb.)

The engine is a 2.8L V6.

And yes I did have problems, well, sort of, before it got cold. It was taking longer to start, and a couple of times I had to try several times before it started. But it was starting.

As far as the tune up is concerned, i have no idea how long its been. I've only had the thing for 2 weeks. I put plugs and wires in myself. I inspected the cap and rotor and both looked alright. No tracks or cracks or anything. I also got out the old multimeter and tested the coil which checked out too.



And on a side note... I ran into problems when I went to get rotors for the brakes... They gave me wagoneer rotors but when I pulled off the wheels they were from a cherokee.. lol.. I've since started referring to it as a cherokee.


And because I got it to start I took it to a shop I've been going to for years. Really nice guy. He took a look and decided that the carb needed to be replaced or rebuilt. He didn't tell me much except that he was able to get it to idle. When I asked him how he said he created a vaccuum leak.

He said if I could find an affordable carb he would install it for around a hundred and that the only one he could get was $365. So now I need to find a carb for it.

And also another note... I'm using this thing as a work vehicle so I just need it to be reliable enough for that. I'm not taking it up trails or anything so I just need to find the least expensive parts that I can.

If anyone has any suggestions about where to get an affordable carb for this heap please let me know!

Greatly appreciated.

Jake