Expert: Vern Bullock - 3/18/2010

Question
QUESTION: car wont start--- had holley carb rebuilt, replaced fuel pump spark plugs wires and rotor cap, sprayed quick start not even a back fire, a mechaniic checked coil, was good -- we a removed plug and turned her over-- IT SPARKS! I sprayed quick start in the removed spark plug hole replaced plug fast and turned her over  ===nothing--- with plug out you can feel compressed air come out, cars on craigslist, I need to sell it behind in house payment's. What should I try next?

ANSWER: If it turns over, but won't start, check the timing.
When you change the rotor cap, did you set the new cap correctly?
I think your problem is timing...

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: theres a single groove underneath rotorcap, that matches a single sliver of metal on top of distributor--- dummy proof--- the clips that hold cap down line up in perfect position , no other way it goes on ,my firing order for 69 amx is 18436572-- tommorow night in davie fl, theres a car show and my son tells me thier two amx cars there each time ---im going to peek under thier hoods and follow wires making sure i'm correct, but i've already checked sites online and i have everything like they show.

Answer
I am not concern with the distributor top, but the plug wire sequence.
When replacing the rotor and cap, it is important to ensure the plugs wires
are reconnect in the same order. If you are sure of this, then check the timing
to make sure the plugs are not firing, but too early or too late.

If the timing is slightly off, a build up of unburned fuel should accumulate in the piston and eventually ignite and cause a backfire. But if it is way off, you won't get anything.

There are really only two way to throw the timing off...

1. Changing the Distributor plug sequence...

2. Timing chain/belt is loose and has slipped...The timing belt drive the sequence
of the piston as the distributor send fire to the plugs. That means that each piston
must be in the Top-Dead-Center position when the distributor sends fire to that plug.