Won't start

[Den79]

I have a 1979 Z/28 Carmaro with a 350 eng. It was last driven 2wks ago and it ran fine.I tried to start it today. It will turn over but will not start. I have good fuel pressure and spark to my plugs I have replaced plugs, removed and cleaned cap and rotor,rebuilt carb,and sprayed ether into carb, but it still will not fire.Today I removed the distributor module and took it to an auto parts store where the module checked ok. This does not rule out pickup or coil.I have also checked distributor timing and #1 timing is ok.This car has 22,000 original miles. I also drained the gas tank and refilled with new and added 'Sta-bil'.

I am at a loss as to what to check next. Does anyone have any ideas for me? Is there a way I can check the coil if I remove it? Is there a way to check the pick up without pulling the distributor?

Any help will be most appreciated. I'm confused

Dennis

[1992RS]

If your pick up and coil where bad then you wouldn't have any spark to the plugs. Check the timeing, that might be your whole problem. But it could be a number of things. You said the carb was rebuilt, make sure it's adjusted right. If those don't work then come back and we'll do the best we can.

[Den79]

I have checked static timing by bringing #1 on TDC on compression stroke,my rotor lines up with #1in cap also timing mark lines up on dampner.I have started carb adj.at 1to 2 turns out.Can pickup coil be checked without pulling dist. What should resistance reading be for plug wires.

[89IROC&RS]

well, you have the timing set at 0 degrees, most older engines like that need 20-30 degrees advance timing in order to fire correctly. loosen the distributor slightly, enough tht you can turn it by hand, and as someone cranks the engine, rotate the distributor.. um. crap, cant think right now, just got back from the gym. cant remember if its clockwise or counter clockwise to advance. but advance the timnig slowly and it should start to fire. set the timing by ear, or by vacume if you can. or use a timing light, and try for say, 28 degrees as a start and work from there.

[89IROC&RS]

although its got me that it worked just fine two weeks ago, and then it just stopped working. are you sure no one messed with it? i mean, if the timing was fine two weeks ago, it should be fine now, cant imagine the distributor just re adjusted its self. im a fuel injection guy, so im just shootin in the dark on this carb stuff.

[89IROC&RS]

did you check your battery???? i just happend to think of this, if there was a parasitic draw, there might be enough energy to crank, but not enough to fire. just something else i thought of really quick.

[Den79]

I have tryed moving dist.just to get it to fire,normally Iset my timing at 10to15 with 93 octane if you can find it.

[Den79]

I have used clamp on ampmeter on pos. side of battery,draw is between 300 to 400 at cranking.

[89IROC&RS]

dunno if thats normal or not. but what i was talking about, is well, i guess i do this cuz i have access to one at work, but a battery tester, to see if the battery is close to its power rating. what is the CCA rating of the battery. if the draw is supposed to be close to that, you sound low, like you need a recharge. again, its just weird taht it only sat for two weeks, and now wont fire, im stumped, but i also am exhausted. so im probly just not thinking. sorry im not more help on this one.

[Den79]

Worked on car today checked a few things still scratching my head,any ideas can pick up coil be checked without pulling distributor.

[Den79]

Worked on car today what the hell lets get back to the basics ,replaced coil and dist.cap with a little luck it just might work,and it did.

[89IROC&RS]

sounds like the coil was bad, well done.

[Jays76Camaro]

Originally Posted by Den79

Worked on car today what the hell lets get back to the basics ,replaced coil and dist.cap with a little luck it just might work,and it did.

I once parked my car on a pile of snow and couldn't move it - I left it there not thinking to start it up every so often and it wouldn't start after 2 weeks (same amount of time)

I went nuts, checking the fuel lines and the battery cables and everything else under the hood. I cleaned and gapped all the plugs and still nothing. Finally, I replaced the HEI coil and she fired up beautifully

I think you were right - good call on that one