Help! car smells bad and won't start!

[fatburrito]

I've been driving my 71' Volkswagon Beetle convertible for 3 years and I don't believe that anything had been replaced prior to my driving it. It has recently stopped running. Before it stopped running, it had been starting, but would die, unless I gave it a lot of gas, and it often backfired when I did... It got worse very quickly after it started doing this. It won't start when I try to push start it, in fact it won't even turn, if somebody knows, please tell me, thanks

[berrowboys]

Lots of causes - but try "closed up points problem" - 5 minute job - take off distributor cap, loosen distibutor bottom bolt just enough to turn distributor and then move slowly looking at points opening when heel of points move to the higest point of any raised cam spot. You should have say 1/16 th inch opening. If not use screwdriver to loosen screw securing points whilst the heel of the points sit on a high cam point and move points apart so gap of 1/16th inch is evident. Retighten everything. Remember all distributor movements should be minimal. Usually not more than 1 inch.

[RVMAN]

Better mark where the distributor was BEFORE moving the whole unit, as this sets the timing of the engine...other things to check: coil, dist cap,rotor button, burnt points, capacitor, FUEL system (line, filter, fuel pump, carb & air filter) Good luck!