So I've got a 69 with a 302 and I just recently installed a new Performer RPM intake and Performer 1406 Carb. Problem is that although the engine will crank for days it won't start. I have a battery charger so it shouldn't be that, the carb isn't new but looks to be in good condition, if I hook a bottle up to the fuel line it will fill when the engine cranks. If I spray some quick start down the carb occasionally the engine will start up, although not consistently. I just set the timing before I installed the intake manifold and I can't find any vacuum leaks. The only thing I've noticed is that when I pull the carb throttle arm back, no gas is sprayed into the engine that I can see, I've never tried doing that before with the old carb, but it's my understanding that gas should be sprayed into the venturi when the throttle is pulled, even with the engine off. So any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

well if it starts when you dump gas into the carb or use starting fluid and only then the problem is the carb. if it is not new it may need to be cleaned out or rebuilt. iF IT HAS BEEN SITTING IT MAY HAVE HAD SOME GAS IN IT THAT DRIED UP AND CLOGGED IT.

Also check the accelerator pmp in the carb. it is the portion of the carb that shoots gas into the intake befor the vacuum takes over.

Also, is you firing order correct ? if you took the wire off you may have replaced them with the wrong order.

 

I just noticed that you said the carb is new. They are usually tested before the leave the factories. i bet it is the timing or the firing order. Triple check it.

 

Air, Fuel, spark.. Sounds like youve got everything but fuel.. Your filter may be clogged.. did the motor run before the swap? Check your timing or firing order like monster bill suggested.. Just turn the dizzy a little each way and see if that gets her to fire up.. You can even do it while someon else hold the key. Just go slow. Also how long has it been since the motor ran?

 

Have you put a vacuum gauge on it and observed while cranking? If you have low vacuum while cranking I would be suspect of the intake manifold sealing. Are the heads milled?

It is not uncommon to see these engines not seal well at the intake ports if the heads have been milled and the intake manifold end gaskets are used. In this situation they prevent the intake from setting down far enough to seal between intake and heads.

If this is the situation, simply lay a good sized bead of silicone seal along the ends, then carefully set the intake in place. For this application I like to use a product called "The Right Stuff." It is basically silicone seal in a Cheez Wiz can.

Good luck,

 

Statements:

The carb squirting gas is the accelerator pump. If you carb has one, it will squirt when the throttle is pressed. If it does not (and you for sure have an accelerator pump), the pump cam is not installed right or you do not have gas.

If you spray some starter fluid or mist some gas into the carb and it tries to run but does not when you just crank it, you probably have a fuel issue.

Questions:
Have you checked and set your fuel bowl levels?

Are you getting gas to the carb?

Are you getting spark at the dizzy side of the coil wire?

Are you getting spark at the plugs?

What is your inital timing set at?

 

I'm pretty sure the intake sealed correctly, I used RTV on the ends instead of gaskets and I had it running without leaks once the engine started. I've got gas going to the carb and my spark is fine, my initial timing is set to 10 degrees. Looks like I'll have to check the fuel bowls and accelerator pump.

 

I've been working on engines/cars for 30+ years and have never found a way to know what the final static timing is without starting the engine. How do you know it's @ 10? at best you know its around #1 somewhere)
Your problem sounds exactly like a dist that has been installed 1 ( or more) tooth off. I've burnt up starters trying to get mis-timed engines "started". Re-check your dwell and static timing, then go to the carb. (the key thing you've said in this post is that it tried to start with stating fluid-BTW)

 

Alright I'll check those, but I set the timing to 10 degrees while the engine was last running and I haven't moved the distributor. Oh, I should mention I have an Ignitor II module and Flamethrower II coil, so I don't think I'll have to check dwell.

 

OK, so I pulled the airhorn off the carburetor and cleaned off the accelerator pump, put it all back together and she starts! I think the accelerator pump had jus become unseated so it wasn't pumping any gas into the venturi. Now another question, once I got the engine started I noticed a ticking noise coming from the passenger side of the engine. Any ideas? The gas in the tank is about 7 months old could that have something to do with it?