my altenator is new btw

 

Did it try to start when using starting fluid? BTW it's not a diesel.

 

it would turn faster but never start. its weird. it turns really fast but wont start. If it doesnt crank tomorrow morning, im going to napa to buy some hei/plugs/wires....and pray. BTW is it a big deal converting points to hei?

 

It's generally a good idea to figure our what is wrong before you start bying parts. An HEI is a type of distributor with the coil mounted on top. They have what is called a prertronix what will eliminate the points. That is what you are thinking, I think. Here is a link to that http://va-mustang.com/articles.php?articleId=3 I got it from the FAQ section on this forum.

 

That makes sense. How would one go about checking the distrib to see if its firing? Have someone try to turn over the vehicle while one of the plugs is held slightily off of the dist and check for a spark?

 

take off the cap. try turing the distributor it could be to far advanced or retarded, its seems obvious but sometimes it the things you look over that can be wrong, take out a few spark plugs and let me know what they look like, you can tell alot by the plugs.

 

I also have a 68 coupe and was sitting for 5 years. Before I tried starting it I changed the oil/filter, fuel filter, spark plugs, wires, and distributer cap. After that it started ok.....give it a try.

 

Look down the throat of the caburetor and pump the throttle. If gas is squirting into the carb, then move on to the ignition. Take a plug wire loose and stick a screwdriver in the cup of the wire, then have someone try to start it. Put the metal part of the screwdriver about a 1/4 inch or so from the manifold and see if you are getting a spark. Usually the spark will be blue. If you are not getting spark, then check the points to see if they are burned. If they are burned, then replace them along with the condenser and adjust them. Once you get the points in and adjusted, rotate the engine by hand until the points are closed. Then turn on the key and by using a screwdriver, open and close the points. You should be getting a spark. If not, then I would check the coil for about 12 volts across the positive and negative terminals with a multi-meter. Check the cap and rotor. If the cap is cracked, replace it. If the rotor is burned, replace it too. If you then get it to run, but it runs rough, you will need to time the engine. Usually, when you replace the points it is a good idea to go ahead and adjust the timing and dwell anyway.

 

Your car needs a tune up and your motor knowledge of carbed cars is low. Use the shotgun approach and you will fix it. The problem is sure sounds like no spark.

Go to Napa and give them the year of your car.

Ask for

8 spark plugs
8 mm wires
Distributor cap
Rotor
Chilton Reference manual
Plug gapping tool
Blaster 2 coil (or equivilant)
Case of oil
Filter

Go home, read the chapter in chiltons to do a tune up.

Pull the plug wires of the car (notate the order they are on the cap and compare this to the order listed in the chiltons)
Throw out the wire
Pull the cap of the dizzy (distributor) (there are 2 little screw on either side that hold it on) compare it with your new cap to make sure it is the right one and then throw it out
Pull the rotor out of the dizzy compare it with your new cap to make sure it is the right one then throw it out
Put the new rotor in the dizzy
Put the new cap on the dizzy
Pull the spark plugs out of the heads one at a time. Check the gap on all 8 eight of them.
Set gap on new plugs to same gap on old plugs
Install in heads
Run wires making sure to reinstall them in the proper firing order you noted earlier
Drain the oil and remove the filter (you have been trying to start the car for 2 days so you have wash down which is gas in the oil which is bad for the motor)
Replace oil plug, screw in filter (pour 1/2 quart into filter first)
Put enough oil in the car so that it reads full on the dipstick
Disconnect old coil and hook up new one

Start car by pressing twice on the gas pedal and then turning key

If car does not fire up after 6 cranks stop cranking.

remove are filter and check that choke sets, gas is shooting through primaries. If this is all true, return to driver seat and attempt to start car again by pumping gas pedal once and the turning key and then pumping pedal a few times..if it doesn't start after 10 cranks...check timing.

And that will have to be another post

 

Sounds like a plan. I took of from school/work today so I could get things going. The previous owner had a new timeing belt/chain put on about a week before I bought it. And it ran perfect the day I got it. Just yestrday it wouldnt start. But Im going outside now to examine everything.