Need help with new guy mistake.
 

I need help getting my A back on the road.
Today I was replacing the spark plugs on my car for the first time and I am embarrassed to say that I did not check my gap. After I installed the new plugs I tried to start my car and it would crank all day long but not start. After pulling the plugs I noticed my mistake. I re-installed the old plugs but my car still wouldn't start. My car was running and driving just fine up until I changed the plugs. The gap on the new plugs was too small, by a lot. Can anyone help me with this? Gas was on, key was on, just wouldn't catch. I am thinking along the lines of the condenser or coil, but those are just guesses.

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

The first thing I would check is spark at the points. Rotate the engine with the crank and the distributor cap off until the points are closed. Turn the key on and open and close the points manually to see if you have sparking at the points.
Al

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

i am not trying to be a smart ass but did you turn the key on?
if no spark at the coil wire holding it close to a head nut then:::

if you have a fuse at the starter make sure it didnt blow

make sure rotor turns when cranking engine

clean and check point gap

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

I am also not trying to be a smart guy but did yiou turn the gas valve on ?
Al

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

He did mention that the SW and gas was on

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

ahhah missed that part sorry

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

When messing with the spark plugs did you somehow get the distributor messed up? Like maybe the high voltage wire unplugged, etc.

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

Didn't happen to leave the rotor off, did you?
I've seen it happen more than once, and I've also done it.

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

were the plugs wet when you pulled the new ones?put plug wire on one plug and lay it against the head and turn engine over does the plug fire? if not go back to the start, make sure you have juice to switch, then to coil, then to dist, if yes then check condensor and coil

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

Mitchell, better let Parker:cool: read for you:D LODL!
Buster T.:cool:

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

After cranking all day with the plugs that wouldn't fire you probably flooded the engine. Let it sit until tomorrow and try to start it with the old plugs. Open the throttle all the way while cranking.

Tom Endy

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

And you changed the plugs........why?:confused: LOL

I always start with the easiest check first, just hold the coil wire 1/4" from a head nut and see if you get a nice blue spark while cranking the engine.

Two years ago my car wouldn't fire after setting for 6 weeks during a very rainy season. I figured with the high humidity and setting for 6 weeks might have left some corrosion on the contacts so I sanded them, but still no go while using the starter. I hand cranked it and it fired right off on the first pull. After running a couple minutes I shut it off and tried the starter again. Everything was now fine. :)

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

Re points I prefer to use a test light on the dist side of the coil. Crank the engine over and see if the light is going on and off...Now while your at it put the test on the other side of coil and see if it lights.

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

OK Marine! Let's do it by the numbers...assuming the new plugs are correct.
You remember what the Corps taught us about assuming!
1. check battery voltage
2. turn key on
3. check voltage to the coil
4. check output of the coil
5. check pionts gapped properly
6. plugs gapped properly
7. check spark at plugs
8. check engine timing for #1 cylinder at TDC
9. gas valve open
10. start engine

This may sound crazy to you, but I would check the sides of the plugs to be sure they are clean. When I was a teenager I would prank my buddies by using a lead pencil and drawing a line down the side of their plugs, causing them much frustration when their cars wouldn't start.

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

If nothing was changed but plugs, it has to be something really simple like a blown fuse. Do the headlights or horn work? It's possible that the coil or ignition switch etc crapped out on you but what's the odds of that happening at the exact moment you changed the plugs. Your car didn't fall apart because of the simple act of changing the plugs. Again not being an ass but when you put the plugs back in, you did reattach the copper plug wires?

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

Yo, Marine Dude, Chief always gapped points with a WORN dime & gapped the plugs with a "FRESH" nickle, seriously!
Bill W.

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

I did myself in last weekend after replacing some wiring she would not start. I grab a diagram, removed and replaced the wires in the junction box 5 times, still no pop.
Then dad walks over and asks me why the coil wire was not attached..........
AAARRRRGH!

Re: Need help with new guy mistake.
 

wow, haven't heard that for a long time. My dad also used to tell me to use a thin dime to set the points.

Steve