MY 300 straight six won't fire!!!! PLEASE READ!!?

Question

My 1978 300 straight six ran fine a week ago and had no signs of problems. I went to start it today, no go. there's fuel, air,no plugs, and the distributor sparked well. the engine won't run though, not even when being towed in gear. anyone have any idea what it is please let me know!!! thanks

Answer 1

the distributor has spak from every wire? if not try cap and rotor if this doesnt help pull the cap have a friend crank engine does the rotor turn if not the distributor gear that runs of the cam probably stripped or the roll pin broke at this point you have to pull the distributor

Answer 2

Could have jumped time. If the timing gears are original the cam gear is ceramic type plastic gear with fiber teeth on it to keep it quiet when running . It is a common problem for them to strip the teeth off in one spot and then catch again causing it to be out of time. Best way to tell is put # 1 cylinder at top dead center line up the zero mark on harmonic balancer remove dist cap and the rotor should be facing were #1 is on the cap or directly across from it if your on the exhaust stroke of #1 instead of compression. Anywhere else usually means it jumped time . You can also do a compression test, you should have from about 120 to 150psi of compression depending on mileage on the engine.There is one other way that works sometimes, take the dist cap off and watch the rotor turn while someone cranks the engine it should turn smoothly if it has teeth missing it may stop in one spot and then start turning again. Good Luck

Answer 3

Even if you have fuel, it could be a faulty mechanical fuel pump.

I had this problem on a '86, it just wasn't delivering enough fuel...

You can try a shot of starting fluid straight into the carb, so then if it starts...

Answer 4

Have you tried checking if there is spark at the end of the plug wires?

Answer 5

Ignition module, distributor pick up, or its just flooded