Car won't start, buyer on the way! Help!

[moparman82]

Hey guys, car ran just fine on Tuesday when this guy came to see it.  He's coming this morning with cash and a trailer and now I can't get it to start!!  It just cranks and cranks, ever 3 seconds or so, 1 cylinder will fire but it won't catch and just keeps cranking.  Put a little fuel in the carb with my handheld squirter (usually does the trick) and no difference, what am I missing!?!?

[Jesus H Chrysler]

Check spark.  Go over all the electrical connections and make sure nothing's loose.  Pull an spark plug wire and hold it close to a ground (Away from carb if you can) and see if someone can crank the engine for you.  Look for a spark to jump from the wire to the ground.  If no spark, check ballast resistor etc.  Good luck!

[jimynick]

The first thought was a ballast resistor, but if it's that, it wouldn't fire at all. Pull a plug wire and stick an old plug in it, lay it on a steel portion of the engine and have someone crank it while you look for spark. If it's a points ignition, I'd check them for gap and if electronic, I'd try another ignition box. Long distance diagnoses are tough. Good luck and call a couple more buds to push the old girl on thee trailer! 

[moparman82]

Thanks for the leads guys, used a spark plug to test and I got spark at all 8 cylinders, replaced the ignition box but still no change.  So I have fuel and spark for sure.  Thinking maybe just not enough spark? If there is a problem with the voltage regulator or the ballast that may cause it? Gonna go grab one of each of those and try em out.  Luckily the buyer has been pretty cool, he asked that I just keep him posted and he can come tomorrow or Monday if I get it figured out

[tman]

Choke closed? Fuel squirts into carb, not just squirting it in by hand? 

[moparman82]

Fuel is squirting on it own

[jimynick]

Perhaps there's too much fuel. Is the choke wide open off? I'd pick up a can of ether (Quik Start) and try giving her a snort. Take it easy with that stuff and don't be surprised if it backfires a wee bit accordingly, but it can help to light the fire you need. Pull an accessible plug and see if it's wet. If it is, try removing them and washing them with the ether and let them dry off or try another set of plugs period. 

[HP_Cuda]

If ballast is reading the correct 1.2 ohms then check the coil (shouldn't be bad), check the cap,

When the car is on ACC then you should have 12V+ and then at full run position 7-9V

[dodj]

If stock, probably ballast resistor. With a bad start side, you will get an encouraging pop every now and then but thats it. Often as you release the key. 

[ChallengerHK]

 

[moparman82]

I replaced th ballast resistor.  Still no go, for some reason, I am getting an inconsistent spark from the coil, so I replaced the coil. But still the same inconsistency, so to recap, new ignition control box, new ballast resistor, new voltage regulator, and new coil, and still the same damn problem

[1 Wild R/T]

Check the air gap on the reluctor/pick up coil.. Should be .008 check with a brass feeler gauge...

[AARTA340]

Sounds like you have tried almost everything!! Here are two more things to consider, jumped timing or faulty ignition switch. Years ago I went to the store with my 75 p-up. Had been running fine and no symptoms of problems. Got to the store, running fine, shut it off and after getting what I was after went out and the thing just cranked with an attempted fire every so often. Ended up towing home only to find the timing chain had jumped.

Other possibility is a failed ignition switch. When they are worn, they turn past the contact area and then no voltage to the ignition. If you have a spare, disconnect the existing one under the dash and plug it in. If it starts, then you found the problem.

Keep informed on your dilemma and what you find.

I replaced th ballast resistor.  Still no go, for some reason, I am getting an inconsistent spark from the coil, so I replaced the coil. But still the same inconsistency, so to recap, new ignition control box, new ballast resistor, new voltage regulator, and new coil, and still the same damn problem

[moparman82]

Thanks guys, the ignition switch is fairly new, about 6 months old, but I'll grab another to test.

[dodj]

Check the air gap on the reluctor/pick up coil.. Should be .008 check with a brass feeler gauge...

This should be your next step.