Dart Won't Start!

[sodruntlestuntl]

I recently bought a '73 Dart Swinger with a 318. Bone stock and mostly original. Everything was fine until about two weeks ago; one evening I went to fire it up and it wouldn't start-- tried it three times and then on the fourth the carburetor backfired. Since then, nothing...

Unfortunately my diagnostic skills are limited, and I've checked all the things I've thought of (spark plugs getting spark, good coil, no known loose connections), and replaced several items in hopes of locating the source of the problem (new coil, cap and rotor, new ballast resistor, new plugs and wires)... I've been told by several people that based on this information it's a timing issue-- is this true? And if so, is there an easy fix or do I have to pull the radiator and all the pumps to get to the timing chain and retime it? Any information or assistance from the experts would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

[Mad Dart]

Have you tried holding your foot to the floor while you are cranking it over? I would try this and hold the choke open at the same time. Sounds like fuel from the carb bowls may be getting into the cylinders while it sits flooding the motor? Just a thought...........

 

[godfatherofchry]

are you saying its firing and not starting that sounds like a timing Chane if its not firing with all those new parts I would guess the control box.?? just A guess with out being there...Artie

 

[jeremiah2146fa]

Did you already try pouring gas or spraying starting fluid into the carb to rule out a fuel problem? I mean yeah, backfiring can be caused by advanced timing, you could have jumped time or broken your chain, but you have to do the basics first.
It sounds like you checked spark, that's good. In order to make an engine run, you need spark (which you checked) fuel (like I said, you can check this by pouring a little fuel in the carb, or spraying starting fluid in it while it's cranking) compression(which can be checked with a $20 compression guage)and then theres timing( which usually comes into play when all the others check out)
I hope this helps, good luck!!!

 

[jeremiah2146fa]

Any new news???

 

[caferacerx]

timing off due to distributor hold down getting loose and allowing distributor to rotate? or timing chain slipped

 

[alsdemon]

start over there four thing you need spark#1 cranking vac.#2 fuel#3 maybe only 3 i got to think.

 

[sodruntlestuntl]

Did you already try pouring gas or spraying starting fluid into the carb to rule out a fuel problem? I mean yeah, backfiring can be caused by advanced timing, you could have jumped time or broken your chain, but you have to do the basics first.
It sounds like you checked spark, that's good. In order to make an engine run, you need spark (which you checked) fuel (like I said, you can check this by pouring a little fuel in the carb, or spraying starting fluid in it while it's cranking) compression(which can be checked with a $20 compression guage)and then theres timing( which usually comes into play when all the others check out)
I hope this helps, good luck!!!

Thanks for the assistance, but still no luck...

 

[nothingbutdarts]

If yes, you are sure it's getting spark that would rule out the ignition box! You made it sound like you did a compression test??

I would line up the timing marks on the dampner/Ft. cover then pull the dist. cap and see where the rotor is pointing to attempt to check initial timing.

 

[green1]

Check the timing, a loose chain usually jumps teeth on shut off.

 

[jeremiah2146fa]

What do you mean by "still no luck?" Does that mean you've checked spark, fuel, compression, and timing already and all are good, or does that mean that adding fuel didn't start it?
It HAS to be one of those 4 issues, that's ALL that is required to START the engine, There are Thousands of things that can effect how well it runs, but to get it to start, all you need is SPARK, FUEL, COMPRESSION, AND TIMING
If you check these, IN THIS ORDER, YOU WILL FIND THE PROBLEM
I PROMISE!!!

 

[jeremiah2146fa]

What do you mean by "still no luck?" Does that mean you've checked spark, fuel, compression, and timing already and all are good, or does that mean that adding fuel didn't start it?
It HAS to be one of those 4 issues, that's ALL that is required to START the engine, There are Thousands of things that can effect how well it runs, but to get it to start, all you need is SPARK, FUEL, COMPRESSION, AND TIMING
If you check these, IN THIS ORDER, YOU WILL FIND THE PROBLEM
I PROMISE!!!

 

[nothingbutdarts]

Well?????????????????

 

[superchargeddrt]

What do you mean by "still no luck?" Does that mean you've checked spark, fuel, compression, and timing already and all are good, or does that mean that adding fuel didn't start it?
It HAS to be one of those 4 issues, that's ALL that is required to START the engine, There are Thousands of things that can effect how well it runs, but to get it to start, all you need is SPARK, FUEL, COMPRESSION, AND TIMING
If you check these, IN THIS ORDER, YOU WILL FIND THE PROBLEM
I PROMISE!!!

Disconnect the coil wire. Remove the number 1 spark plug put your finger over the and have someone slowly bump the engine around until you feel pressure from the compression stroke. Remove the distributor cap and see if the rotor is pointing at the number 1 spark plug tower. This will assure you that your timing chain is okay. Make sure that you have voltage at the positive terminal of the coil. You should have 12 volts at the coil when cranking and if you're running a stock ignition when you release the key to the run position it should have around 8 volts. If you have 12 volts when cranking and 0 volts when you release the key your ballast resistor is more than likely bad. Additionally pay attention to the condition of the cap,rotor, coil wire and points if you're not running electronic ignition. I hope that this helps. Good Luck!

 

[sodruntlestuntl]

Thanx to all who offered their assistance-- it was the timing. We lined up the timing marks, found top dead center on the #1 cylinder, adjusted the distributor and lined up the rotor accordingly, and she started right up... now we're having trouble with the vacuum advance. I was told you could adust using a small allen wrench right through the fiting on the vacuum housing on the distributor-- is this true?