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I was out cruising around in my '58 Super and everything was just fine. Got home, backed it into the garage and closed shop. The next day I needed to move it and when I tried to start it it fired up then began to idle rough and finally died. Next try nothing. Just turned over and over. Next day I tried it again and same result, except it would not run at all, just tried for a few seconds and died once. Then nothing. Sprayed starting fluid into the carb and tried again, but no response when I tried to start it again. Checked spark at coil output, fair. Checked for spark at plugs, one short spark upon turning over, then nothing. So, replaced Coil, points and condenser. Good spark to distributor, and good spark to plugs. But she still won't start. Just turns over and acts like there is no spark to the plugs, but there is. Tried starting fluid again, still nothing. Anyone out there have any suggestions? I can't figure out what to test/check/replace next. Help!

Hi I'm new to the site and I just got a 49 Plymouth. I'm just getting into classic cars and I'm 28. It was running when I bought it (two weeks ago) and I had a friend change out a number of things (spark plugs, fuel pump, distributor cap, rotor, points, coil, choke, and cleaned the carb) Well before I went to get it the cap was off and it isn't running now. My questions are..... There's a 12v negative ground battery, isn't this wrong? I got it like this. Its turning turning but will not start and I'm stuck. There's no spark in the new coil when I ran wires straight from the battery to it. There's no sparks in 2 spark plugs I checked. The set the points to .020. Is there something else I can do? I want to convert the points to electric ignition, is there any kits for a 6v? before he messed with it we ran a full tank of gas through it now I can't get it started.

Hello, my 66 skylark has been having an issue where I have to hold up the column shifter in order to start it. Yesterday it started to just click no matter what position the shifter was in. Is there a ignition switch in the steering column assy? If there is, can it be fixed without having to replace the entire column. Any help will be greatful. Als 66

Ok, another question for you guys. I’m still trying to get my ’30 Commander FD started (or at least cough over or sputter or something!). I’ve replaced the plugs and plug wires and put a new coil in, and I have spark at the plugs when I crank it over with the starter, but I get nothing, even with starter fluid. Not even a kick or any other signs of life. I did remove the distributor to clean it, and at first I thought I had reinstalled it backwards, i.e. the plug was firing at the bottom of the stroke rather than the top. But it looks like the distributor shaft can only engage the crank in one position so I’m assuming that’s not the problem. I haven’t done anything with the carb yet, but I figure that even if the carb needs to be rebuilt, the engine should at least kick with the starter fluid in the cylinders and the plugs firing. Any suggestions??</SPAN> Thanks in advance.</SPAN> Dunc126

We are looking at my Father's classic 57 Thunderbird. He wanted to start it up for us, but it just won't start. The battery and starter turn over fine. We put some fuel in the carb and it does start, but dies as soon as the fuel is burned up. Makes us think it's a fuel delivery problem, however none of us have ever troubleshot something like this before. I have to assume it's a mechanical pump, or is it a vacuum? Some ideas/references would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I stopped in to get gas tonight, and when I jumped back in to leave, the car won't start!!! My car is a 1949 Roadmaster.. The battery was fine, but yet I still attempted to jump it just in case. No start. Not even a click! Just the lonesome stranded sound of me pressing on the gas pedal. I sat and waited almost two hours for a tow, and hoped that she would start after she cooled down, but no. Could this be my starter? What do you guys think? The only change I made recently was replacing the fan belt. I had put in a new voltage regulator, but ended up putting back in my old one since the new one didn't work! I have the wires correctly placed on the regulator, and I have polarized the regulator as well.. I am at a loss. Only thing I think it may be is the starter. Keep in mind the car makes NO sound when trying to start, and the battery seems to be alright. Jerry 1949 Buick Roadmaster

Hey folks, bear with me. The Short story is the starter solenoid plunger activates, the starter does not. The long story is that "Bruce" ( what we named our Buick), finally needed a carb rebuild & its manifold straightened out. This part went well. Bruce's starter had been "dragging" for a few months even though it was rebuilt new internals & with a NOS solenoid. When we went to start Bruce, the dragging was worse and all we got was a 1/2 hearted sputter & a lot of no start. The original +cable got quite warm. We replaced it with a #2 from Autozone. Plunger worked, starter did not. (Battery is new & fully charged) So I pulled the starter & had my guy look it over. He freshened it up and bench tested it. In the mean time I obtained a NOS +battery cable. Same result. Plunger in, starter no go. Voltages seem good & steady everywhere & the two ground straps are in good shape. (1 bat to engine mount & 1 block to firewall) Questions: Did I miss something obvious? Could it be something internal to the engine? Could the ball in the Carb switch have been screwed up by the rebuild? Final thoughts: Last time Bruce ran he started then sputtered to a stop. At first we thought his ignition system went fuzzy. The coil was dead. So I replaced the coil, condenser, rotor & cap. Wires are still new & plugs were clean. He would turn over but not start, dragging of course. I noticed the carb was leaking badly again, so we decided to take care of that too. I'm afraid I might be dealing with a busted timing chain. Thoughts, I need a few. Engine is the original 248 straight 8 with the Dynaflow. Thanks guys & gals Dave