Ok, so this is a 73 240z with round top carbs. The car had been sitting for a while and was not ran during that time. I did a few things before trying to start her but no matter what she will not start. The car does turn over, even with ether sprayed directly into the carbs it won't run, although it does pop a little with the ether in there.

I replaced the spark plugs, wires, and rotor inside the cap. Distributor and cap look good. Verified spark on every plug. Replaced lines from fuel pump since they were cracking and old, verified fuel is getting directly into the carbs. Replaced all vacuum hoses with new ones, no leaks in sight. Also rebuilt the carbs after soaking them and cleaning all that gunk off.

Compression is good, reads about 165 (+/- a few) on all cylinders.

Timing was not touched during this process since it did run before, but I have tried twisting the dizzy throughout its adjustment and no change, will not fire still so set it back to original point.

Is there anything else I need to check? This thing is killing me that I can not get it firing no matter what I do.

How about the firing order? Did you remember that it's counter clockwise? What is your static timing set to?

Counter Clockwise? I was told that it was clockwise. It is set at 1-5-3-6-2-4 though. Static timing is at 10 before TDC.

If you have it going clockwise, that could be your problem.

If you have the firing order clockwise on the cap then that is your problem. Make sure the #1 plug is in the right spot and arrange the rest accordingly. Check with a timing light when you're done. It should then at least light off on ether, if not by itself.

Firing order was backwards for sure. Now it does fire off ether but won't without it. Even with the ether though the car does die and won't idle at all. I double checked to make sure both carbs are still getting gas. I'm currently cleaning the spark plugs and re checking the gaps and making sure the car isn't flooded from all the attempts to start it. Any other suggestions?

Edited June 7, 201113 yr by busted240

You wrote that the carbs are getting gas, but I ask what are they doing with it? I'm assuming that by getting gas you mean the float bowls are filling up with gas. My question is is it getting from the float bowl to the Venturi? Have you checked that the hose running from the bowl to the needle jet is clear?

Alternatively, you wrote "verified fuel is getting directly into the carbs." As in flowing into the Venturi? That would be a problem and, believe me, is quite possible.

More generally, have you verified that the float level is correct? Too low and you'll get too little fuel, too high it will be too rich and really high you'll have gas flowing out of the carb.

On a different subject: Are you sure the dizzy is oriented correctly with the engine? The rotor should be pointing at the cap plug #1 when cylinder #1 is at TDC.

Good luck.

Chris

You wrote that the carbs are getting gas, but I ask what are they doing with it? I'm assuming that by getting gas you mean the float bowls are filling up with gas. My question is is it getting from the float bowl to the Venturi? Have you checked that the hose running from the bowl to the needle jet is clear?

Alternatively, you wrote "verified fuel is getting directly into the carbs." As in flowing into the Venturi? That would be a problem and, believe me, is quite possible.

More generally, have you verified that the float level is correct? Too low and you'll get too little fuel, too high it will be too rich and really high you'll have gas flowing out of the carb.

On a different subject: Are you sure the dizzy is oriented correctly with the engine? The rotor should be pointing at the cap plug #1 when cylinder #1 is at TDC.

Good luck.

Chris

Your right, I was only referring to it making it into the float bowls. I will verify fuel is going through the lines from the bowls as well. The float level was adjusted as per the specs in the carb rebuild kit.

As for the dizzy, I will also verify it is still hitting the #1 plug at TDC.

Thank you guys for the replies so far.

Edited June 8, 201113 yr by busted240

Ok, great news. I took your advice and checked the lines from the float bowl to the needle, bone dry. Even the float bowl on the rear carb was getting a small amount of gas inside it, so once everything was cleaned out it started right up. Runs good, needs a little tuning think its running a bit rich but at least its working. Thanks for all the help guys.

Ok, great news. I took your advice and checked the lines from the float bowl to the needle, bone dry. Even the float bowl on the rear carb was getting a small amount of gas inside it, so once everything was cleaned out it started right up. Runs good, needs a little tuning think its running a bit rich but at least its working. Thanks for all the help guys.

Cool. Glad to hear you've got it up and rolling.

Chris