‘74 2.0 Wont Start Options

[Jackba]

Hello,
I’ve read through quite a few posts on this subject While working through the problem but I’m still stuck. I hope someone can point me in the right direction.

This is an original car with FI. Car was cutting out while on the freeway. Was able to get it home. Weeks later I got back to it, started it and took it on a test drive. It was cutting out even worse on local streets. Got it home.

Posted on the site and the advice was to pull and clean distributor. Did that and checked trigger points ignition points and cap. Looked good. Changed condenser. Checked all wires and saw nothing out of place. Removed and checked and cleaned the board on throttle body. Very clean with minimal tracing. Hooked up battery and turned key to on 4 times. Fuel pump running. Pressed accelerator to check for 20 clicks. Then tried to start. Cranks well and catches then dies after one revolution. Tried again several times and it only cranks. Tried again and it catches and runs well for 3 seconds. This was repeated many times in no particular order.
Still won’t run.

I rechecked the static timing again and went through the same process and got the same results.

Next I plan to pull the fuel filter and injectors and see if I’m getting fuel. If no fuel in the rails could it be the fuel pump even though it runs for 1.5 seconds each time I turn on the ignition? Fuel pump is 3 port and probably original to the car.

Any other ideas are welcome.

Thanks in advance,
Jack

[dlee6204]

A couple things come to mind...

1. Have you checked your MPS to see if it holds vacuum? Based on your description it doesn’t sound like this is the issue however it is super easy to check.

2. The fact that it did run before and now it doesn’t means it could be something you did. Have you verified timing order? You could be 180 degrees off on the distributor.

3. Have you checked to see if you have spark at each lead? Hook the timing light to each lead while cranking.

4. Does it run for 2-3 seconds every time you crank it or does it only do it once before you have to wait and try again later?

5. Finally I’d try rotating the distributor a few mm in either direction to see if advancing or retard the timing gets it to stay running longer.

6. Clean your FI grounds. Don’t just check them but remove and clean making sure they are a snug fit.