engine turning and nothing else

[914am]

The car (1976 814 2.0L FI) started hesitantly with backfiring and no power. I've had a small moisture problem in the distributor cap but a little drying made the car run perfect. So I checked that and that wasn't the problem. I tried to start the car this time and the engine would turn but never complete cranking. Someone suggested to file the points and then check the rotor button. So I did, and it had no effect. What's causing this? Thanks

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

You need three things for the engine to run: Air (or compression), fuel, and spark. Check for each of those.

Check for a spark by taking a spare spark plug and hooking it up to a plug lead. Tape the plug so that the threaded area is against a ground, like the fan shroud. Have someone crank the starter motor and look for sparks.

Check for fuel by pulling both injectors on one side out of the intake runner (there's one M6--10mm wrench size--nut holding each in) and sticking them in a jar. Unplug the green points wire from the coil, then have someone crank the starter motor. Look for fuel to squirt out of the injectors.

Check for compression by finding yourself a compression gauge and screwing it into the spark plug hole. Crank the starter motor 10 times with the throttle wide open (and all plugs removed--also make sure to unplug the FI wiring harness from the relay board so you don't get fuel vapor flying around!) in each cylinder in turn. You want higher than 0 PSI--100 is pretty minimal at sea level, higher is better, even between all four cylinders is also good.

Once you've figured out which of the three you don't have, you can start checking from there. In my experience, spark is the easiest to lose, followed by the electrical part of the fuel delivery system. (Especially suspect the spark if you've been messing with the distributor at all!!)

--DD

[jabez]

If you try all the things Dave suggested, and it still doesn't start, I'd look and see if your static timing is correct. It almost sounds like the distributor has been turned and screwed up the timing.