Engine Start Troubles Please Help
 

I have a 1975 2.0 that I purchased as a rolling chassis with the motor, tranny and assorted parts all in boxes. I have since rebuilt the motor and bolted it all together. I went to start it for the fist time and it cranked but it wouldn't fire. :confused: I have spark and compression. My compression test consisted of feeling air moving out of the exhaust. While cranking I can smell fuel. It doesn't smell quite like exhaust, and it doesn't smell like straight fuel but it smells like something in between the two. I've been searching around for a solution but have come up empty handed. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I can also take pictures of things if that would help.


Thanks,

Levi`````````````````````````````````````````````` `````````````

We need a few more details such as ignition system type, fuel system type, etc and then we can offer some things to check.

Thanks for the quick reply. How do I check for ignition system type? It is fuel injected, is that what you mean by fuel system type?

Ignition system... is it the stock distributor with points, Pertronix/Compu-fire, etc...
Which will lead to the next question, how is the timing and points gap (if installed)

Stock Ignition, and the timing is set at the marks on #1 TDC

I would suggest several things and some additional info:
- carbs or FI?
- If FI then go through Brad's check and troubleshooting list.
- If carbs, what is fuel pressure and float settings?
- What is points gap or dwell setting?
- What are valve clearances?
- Do a proper compression test, while doing it on a cold engine is not the best it will show what the cylinders are doing.
- Try a shot of starting fluid to see if it coughs or backfires after the above items.

Let us know the results of the above questions.

I haven't had the time to do much but I tried starting fluid in the intake and it made a cough here and there. I did notice that the heat exchangers (The exhaust is not installed yet) are sucking air in and light white smoke is consistently coming out of one of the pipes. What could this be an indication of?

White smoke coughing or rolling out of the exhaust equals engine is flooded. Check out the link below and go through your F.I set up thoroughly.

D-Jet Info