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Old 10-09-2020, 04:27 PM   #1
aermotor
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Default engine won't run

I have a Weber 2 barrel downdraft. The engine ran good and will not start now. It will fire for a couple seconds with starter fluid and that's it. I have checked every thing with the ignition system and feel confident that is all well. Fuel pumps into the manifold when pumping gas pedal but will not fire without the starter fluid. Any ideas where to go now? I am tempted to swap the induction system, manifold and stock carb from another running car to troubleshoot - Big Job!

John
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Old 10-09-2020, 06:01 PM   #2
EHERRICK
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Default Re: engine won't run

If all you are saying is accurate the only thing I could surmise is bad gas.
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Old 10-09-2020, 07:07 PM   #3
Big hammer
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Default Re: engine won't run

A guess, would a weak spark only run with starter fluid? My dad and I worked at starting a car one winter, blew the muffler, it coughed back through the carburetor setting dads hair on fire! Dad had it towed to a shop and they did a tune up, plugs, points, rotor.
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Old 10-09-2020, 07:33 PM   #4
aermotor
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Default Re: engine won't run

Quote:
Originally Posted by Big hammer View Post
A guess, would a weak spark only run with starter fluid? My dad and I worked at starting a car one winter, blew the muffler, it coughed back through the carburetor setting dads hair on fire! Dad had it towed to a shop and they did a tune up, plugs, points, rotor.
Crossed my mind but I am getting a nice blue/white spark from each spark plug. BTW, This exact same problem existed when I was running a Mallory centrifugal distributor, which I replaced with original system thinking I had a problem with the centrifugal advance. Two good different systems and same problem, I guess I better look deeper into a fuel problem.

Last edited by aermotor; 10-09-2020 at 07:53 PM. Reason: extra info
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Old 10-09-2020, 09:40 PM   #5
Ernie Vitucci
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Default Re: engine won't run

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Good Evening...Another couple of places to look...One check to see if the shaft from your distributor to the oil pump is still working. Take the top off the distributor and look to see if the rotor is turning...it happened to me once! Two check the little wire in the bottom of your distributor to see if the insulation is starting to come off and it has become possible for it to short to the case...Good luck...Ernie in Arizona
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