Starting Problems

[ironjohn]

I have a 65 that just won't seem to fire. I had put a new relay in but the starter wouldn't turn off when I turned the key off so I out the old one back in. Now it turns over and shuts off when I turn the key to the off position, but it just won't fire.
I put in new plugs, plug wires, points, condenser so I am stumped.
The local "Dream Cruise" is in two weeks and I want to get everything else in shape by then so I need to get this dog fired up! Help!

[Joe Vandatta]

Check to see if you are getting voltage to the bat. side of the coil (the lead from the switch) If you are ck to see if you are getting voltage to the coil wire (hold it about 3/16 inch away from the block and crank the engine. If you have voltage there you should ck. to see if you are getting fuel by pumping the a accelerator and watch to see if it squirts out the nozzels.
Hope this helps.

[t-bird-art]

In addition to the above--Put a timing light on any spark plug wire, Have someone crank the engine 5 seconds. See if the timing light lights up. A) If it doesn't light, pop the Distributor Cap, turn Ignition Key to ON, use a 12v test light on BOTH sides of the points with the points closed. 12v only on the coil side of the points means the points are burned. If 12v Test light lights up on Both sides of the closed points the Timing Light will also light up. This means the Dwell (Point Gap) is not correct. All this assumes you are getting Gas and the Plug Wires are in correct order and Distributor is set somewhere near 10 Degrees before TDC. By the way, when starter keeps running , the heavy posts on the starter solonoid have been tightened too much and were twisted to the point where internally the solonoid made a continuous circuit from the battery to the starter. ( Had a new female "mechanic" do this at Sears once.