Got Compression, Got Fuel, Got Power.. no spark?

[dbesade]

Hey guys,

I have an issue, while workin on my CJ I needed to turn it over to test some electrical items and all it did is turn over.. wouldn't fire. I did the normal stuff, tested for voltage at the coil (its got voltage), looked for gas in the carb (its got gas), pulled a sprk plug out and put my finger on the hole to test for ANY compression (I know I know I need to get a damn gauge)..

So I'm thinking my grounds could be a little funky still (working on restoring all the grounds I SHOULD have) or my ignition box could be toast (the old Autolite Points). However before I go price on out (and see how close the cost of that is to an HEI Dist here...) I was wondering if anyone had any further suggestions to check out?

-Dave

[rollen dean montoya]

dave,
are the points roached? did you set the dwell prior the trying to
start the beast?are you getting spark to the plugs?check these and let me know. if these are not the problem them i can call my dad and see what else you can try

[Mudrat]

dave,
are the points roached? did you set the dwell prior the trying to
start the beast?are you getting spark to the plugs?check these and let me know. if these are not the problem them i can call my dad and see what else you can try
POINTS???? Ye Gads man, this is the 21'st century!!! We already know how to start fires :!: :?

Check your timing - ensure your on the compression stroke and not 180 out - been there, done that :oops:
You'll get spark at the plug, but it'll be out of sequence and won't fire the motor.
Also check that the wires are in the correct sequence (firing order). Hey! It can happen!! Even the pro's have that problem occasionally - in fact it was just on 'Wrecks to Riches' (http://www.tvratingz.com/ShowRatings.jsp?tcvid=2803) (another new favorite show, Tuesday's at 8PM on TLC, between Overhaul'n shows). They were workin a 'Goat stroker and had the sequence going the wrong way on the dizzy!!!

[dbesade]

dave,
are the points roached? did you set the dwell prior the trying to
start the beast?are you getting spark to the plugs?check these and let me know. if these are not the problem them i can call my dad and see what else you can try

Points look fine, I haven't touched the distributor at all since I cranked it 3 days ago, ran fine, which is why this is confusing.

Same thing thing on the 180 out theory, I haven't touched the dist at all.

Keep the idea's commin

-Dave

[Mudrat]

What were you originally trying to do?

What were the last things you did to the motor, or electrics, since it was running? Back track your steps one at a time from latest to oldest ...

What were they?

[rollen dean montoya]

hey rat, some guys are still in the stone age #-o but yea dave needs to backtrack from the latest thing he did to the day it ran. something
oopsed.

[dbesade]

Well,

I was out of gas... LOL!!! Thats weird because I saw gas in the carb bowl and it still didn't start.. but I put 3 gallons in the tank, some ether in the carb.. and it started right up....

oh well... thanks for all the suggestions.

-Dave

[rollen dean montoya]

that was easy #-o grasshopper might need to check the gas gage every
now and then :mrgreen:

[dbesade]

What gas gauge? Damn thing hasn't worked in 5 years :mrgreen:

[rollen dean montoya]

get a stick and use it to find gas in tank :mrgreen:

[Mudrat]

Get in the habbit of putting in $5 every day -- OH WAIT, make that $15 everyday at today's prices :smile:

[dbesade]

Get in the habbit of putting in $5 every day -- OH WAIT, make that $15 everyday at today's prices :smile:

Just think, in 1976 gas prices were .44¢ a gallon too ;).

-Dave

[Mudrat]

Get in the habbit of putting in $5 every day -- OH WAIT, make that $15 everyday at today's prices :smile:

Just think, in 1976 gas prices were a gallon too ;).

-Dave
In 1969 it was 18-22¢ a gallon in Houston and in 1973 it was .25¢ a gallon in Charleston, SC. :smile:

[Goose]

Umm just a side comment on the Ether in the carb thing..

You may not believe this but that starting fluid is almost the worst thing you can do to a motor..Basically rolling grenades down the intake would be worse but not by a lot.. In the diesel world it is used as a last resort for a very cold engine with no ignition system, and it is well known that you can addict a motor to ether (essentialy it wont start without it) because it hammers the rings etc..Anyway justa tip from your old uncle Goose.

[rollen dean montoya]

thats why i live in the desert. don't need ether except for torching
fire ants :mrgreen:

[Goose]

Ohh Rollen, Get some tide soap and a little gasoline.. put it in a weed sparayer and spray them little buggers then put down the sprayer and ignite.. (dont do it while holding the sprayer cause "Sing along if you know the words" Napalm sticks to kids!!)

[rollen dean montoya]

i love the smell of napalm in the morning!it smells like fried ants!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[Goose]

Yeppa Yeppa.. I was trying to get Mudrat to use the flame thrower on the invading bug army last year.. (Alas I think he was stayed by the collateral damage argument.) :kamahlitude2:

[Mudrat]

I'm PAINFULLY aware of that assault - and I'm proud to announce the
"Buggers" have not been back. My asumption is they have abandoned that post (probably because none survived the attack).

I now have a problem with B1-rds infiltrating the main shop area and attempting to nest. Not a pleasant sight to find a 1.5" round dropped by the B1-rds dead center on my hood :smile:

Same ROE - wood structure impregnated with flamable fluids .... :?:

[Goose]

Ahhh, Here we can help.. Psyops is the ticket.. Recording of owls and hawks shrieking.. lots of large steel mills etc use these recordings..(the question is can you stand it also?? good luck troop and remember there is always the low tech .177 cal pump method..

[Mudrat]

Ahhh, Here we can help.. Psyops is the ticket.. Recording of owls and hawks shrieking.. lots of large steel mills etc use these recordings..(the question is can you stand it also?? good luck troop and remember there is always the low tech .177 cal pump method..I was thinking of the rubber snake or plastic owl option - but I'm kinda liking the 'low tech - high satisfaction' method :lo1l:

By the way - just voted from the USO in St. Louis :t: That should be 2 for me today, and it's not even noon yet!! :wink: