You're a novice-you have a 69 Chevy Chevelle-big blk-car is cranking not starting-changed out dist carb-what's next-not sure is sparks plugs are in correct order either-help?

Answer 1

Any time an engine is cranking but not starting, always go back to the basics: Fuel, spark and compression. If you've never run the engine, check the compression across all cylinders. If you have good compression, go on to fuel. Are you getting fuel into the carburetor or throttle body? If not, figure out why and work that out. If you're getting fuel, go on to the ignition. Are you getting spark? Pull one of the spark plug wires and connect it to a spare sparkplug. Lay the spare plug on the block and have someone briefly crank the engine to see if you have a good, strong spark. If not, figure out why. If you DO have a spark, fuel and compression, the plugs are probably connected wrong. Turn the engine over by hand until you get close to #1tdc. Put your finger in the #1 plug hole and feel for compression as you continue to turn the engine to the point where the timing mark lines up. If you feel compression, that's when the distributor is pointing at #1. If you DON'T feel compression, turn the engine all the way around once and feel for compression again. When you feel compression in the #1 cylinder as it gets close to the timing mark, you know you're on #1. Then you can wire your distributor accordingly. After the #1 plug wire is connected, notice the direction that the distributor turns when you turn the engine FORWARD. The next plug to connect will be next in the firing order (whatever it is for your engine) and it will be the one next to the #1 plug connection on the distributor as the rotor turns forward. Continue the process until you have them all connected and try to start it again. Good luck. It sounds like a fun project car.