cat is off, still won't start

[dntlft]

My 1983 SC engine shut down while driving on 5 cylinders awhile back, so I pulled the catalytic converter, assuming the extra gas melting the matrix. I shined a 120 lumen flashlight in one end in a dark room, no light. I then tried to start the car, should start with the obstruction removed, right? Would not start with several attempts. Only thing I can think of is the spark plugs are fouled from engine flooding. Any thoughts??

[Lapkritis]

Why are you running on 5 cyls?

[dntlft]

Tip of one of the spark plugs broke off on one of the plug wires, tempted fate and tried to drive home, needed to flat bed the car anyway when the engine suddenly shut down. Lesson learned!

[CorsePerVita]

Pull the plugs and find out. Only one way to know. Start with the basics and work your way down. Other consideration when running on 5 cylinders is that the 6th cylinder since it is CIS is still pissing fuel into that cylinder and could cause a wash on that cylinder.

[Lapkritis]

Not likely to flood the other 5 for a plug wire being off.

Check for spark with a spare plug. Check for fuel. Likely one is missing. Only speculation until you determine which.

[dntlft]

At the risk of exposing my novice skill set, how would I proceed? Take a spare plug and connect it to the end of each plug wire, in sequence, and hold the plug to the engine block, or some other ground, while an assistant cranks? How does one do this safely?

[Lapkritis]

Originally Posted by dntlft

At the risk of exposing my novice skill set, how would I proceed? Take a spare plug and connect it to the end of each plug wire, in sequence, and hold the plug to the engine block, or some other ground, while an assistant cranks? How does one do this safely?

Most safely - MSD makes an inline light that connects to the back of the plug and then into the plug wire.

In a pinch, many will put a spare plug into the wire end and touch the plug to a ground such as the intake or metal of the engine or chassis while cranking. Do not crank with a spark plug removed from the cylinder as fuel could spray out causing a high danger of fire. Don't touch the plug with bare hands while cranking or you could receive a life threatening electrocution.

[dntlft]

Thanks Andrew, I'll give this a try...

[CorsePerVita]

Originally Posted by Lapkritis

Don't touch the plug with bare hands while cranking or you could receive a life threatening electrocution.

Man that's no joke... I still have this story about a kick start motorcycle I was working on once and was grounded while unknowingly touching the plug I was troubleshooting. My wife nicknamed me sparky. At best, you get a nasty shock. At worst... well, you nailed it. Never take coils lightly.

[kidrock]

I fabricated a 12 gauge wire (about 1') with heavy duty copper clamps at both ends. I pull a plug wire and put a spare plug into the end. I then place one clamp on the threaded end of the plug, and the other clamp on a good engine ground (away from the fuel filter!) and set the plug on a safe place on the engine tin away from fuel sources and spinning parts.

Have a partner crank the motor while you observe the spark. The spark should have a strong blue spark and an easily audible "SNAP".