A Won’t Start and Stumped

R

rundmt123

Member
A Won’t Start and Stumped

I posted a while ago about blowing fuses after trying to start my A after a transmission rebuild and significant downtime. Turned out to be my starter died and was drawing too much current. That is now fixed but I can’t get my 29 to start. I have spark from the coil. I didn’t have spark to my plugs so rebuilt my distributor and now have spark to my plugs. I had an ignition switch issue so replaced that. All good and still wouldn’t start. Checked and had gas to the carburetor. So wondered if my main jet was clogged and I wasn’t getting gas to the engine. Replaced my carburetor jets and still won’t start. Have checked the timing multiple times and it’s good.

I am stumped and need the expertise of this forum. Any thoughts or ideas would help. Thanks in advance.
 
Re: A Won’t Start and Stumped

Do you at least get a cough or belch when cranking ? Any chance you installed the distro 180 degrees out, i.e. spark at #1 on the exhaust stroke ? Be sure and share the fix when you get it running. Good Luck.
 
Re: A Won’t Start and Stumped

check timing again.

-take out the plugs.
-put your thumb on #1 plug hole
-have someone crank it slow until you feel air pushing out
-put the timing pin in
-slowly crank (hand crank) until the pin goes in.
-that will be TDC
-set the points and the distributer cam
-hook up a spark plug and hand crank it over. watch again for spark.

now move onto the gas. if it won't start.

if the pin does not go into the cam gear when the piston reaches the top you have a gear problem.
 
Re: A Won’t Start and Stumped

To quickly eliminate fuel spray a little shot of starting fluid into the carb while someone else cranks it over...if it fires you have spark and you probably are not getting enough fuel.
 
Re: A Won’t Start and Stumped

The distributor is in correctly. I don’t get any cough or belch when cranking the car.
 
Re: A Won’t Start and Stumped

I agree with using (sparingly) starting fluid. This should tell you if you have a fuel problem or an ignition problem. Good luck, I feel your pain.
 
Re: A Won’t Start and Stumped

1. When you found top dead center did you use the timing pin?
 
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Re: A Won’t Start and Stumped

So I time the 29 using the timing pin. Always the way I’ve done it. Timing is good. Rechecked the points gap and it’s set right. Pulled the plugs and felt for compression in each cylinder. Seems ok for all 4. Checked spark at the plug gap while out and there was spark. Tried a carburetor off a running car. Still won’t start. Doesn’t even cough. Will try the starter fluid test but beginning to wonder if I have a blockage in my intake manifold. Running out of things to try.
 
Re: A Won’t Start and Stumped

Was the spark blue or yellow? It only needs spark at the right time, compression, and fuel (starter fluid) to run. If you think the intake is blocked it is easily removed to check, but I DOUBT THAT IS YOUR PROBLEM. You could also put gas in a few cylinders and see if you get a pop.
 
Re: A Won’t Start and Stumped

How old is the gasoline in your tank? I’d also recommend testing for spark with starting fluid.
 
Re: A Won’t Start and Stumped

If you're trying to use 6 month old gasoline or older you're kind of wasting your time because it'll gum up and it'll cause the intake valves to start sticking and the exhaust valves to start sticking too!!!
 
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