turns over but wont start

I just rewired my 74 with a floor start. i got everything connected and tried to start it up. the engine turns over, the fuel pump works, and i can see gas being shot into the carb, but it wont start up. i pulled a spark plug wire and put a spark plug in the end of the wire and watched it while i tried to start it up...no spark that i could see.

I'm thinking i might have a bad coil, but i am trying to start it on old plugs wires and cap and rotor. (I have all new plugs, wires and cap and rotor that i havent put on yet)

 

could be coil but i doubt it. does it have points if so check them too. get a volt meter and trace path of elect. from starter out and see where you lose it. also make sure spark plug wire didn't get crossed up. good luck

 

If its been sitting for a year or more it definitly needs clean points. At least in my area. My dauntless fired up after 10 years with just a new points set. My 232 fired up after sitting 1 year with a new point set.

 

its been sitting awhile. im going to replace the plugs, wires, and cap and rotor tomorrow. the engine in it it out of an 86 i think, but its just a regular 258, carb, v belt. i cant tell if it has points or not, it looks like it has a condenser inside the cap.

i checked, and the coil is good, so thats not the problem.

 

If its an 86, I can't imagine it having a points set. If it does have points, make sure you change them and set them good. In my opinion, thats the most important part of a tune up. The points set is the hardest working part on your whole jeep.

 

'86 is electronic, no points. They do have a control box though, and it does go bad. It will roll but no fire. Should be mounted on an inner fender, same as Ford and AMC of that era.

 

I think the '74 had points ignition... if you see a condensor, that's a pretty good indication. An '86 engine could use the '74 distributor and ignition - the Duraspark electronic ignition didn't have to come along with the engine.

 

Can anyone elaborate on the control box bit? I did have that box on the inner fender, and i have no idea how to wire that in. I changed from the turn key style ignition that it came with to the early style floor start.

what lines would come out of the control box and where would they go, or how would i bypass it?

 

Here are some good pictures. If the '74 had it, it would be Prestolite. The '86 came with Duraspark.
http://www.buildyour4x4.com/index.php?id=25

 

Thats my control box. It has Motorola in raised letters above the label.

where can i get a new one and how do i wire it in?

and again, is it possible to bypass?

 

Prestolite.

Just to be sure, look at the distributor for the plastic vacuum advance can mounted on the side of it. Someone might have replaced it with a points-style ignition at some point.

Parts store item.

There's a plug on the Prestolite distributor that matches the control box. There should also be a plug to the wiring harness and a ground wire to the fender IIRC. Best to look at a wiring diagram from the factory manual if you're unsure.

No way to bypass it - the distributor won't work without it. You could upgrade to a different type of electronic ignition (aftermarket GM HEI or Motorcraft Duraspark as in the later models), convert to a points ignition (buy a distributor for a '73 or earlier) or fix this one.

 

Now for the really obvious question!R)

Did it run BEFORE you changed to the foot starter?:?

 

This is a points and condenser set up, right?

 

No, it wasn't running when i got it. If it was i never would have messed with it, but i had to rewire the whole thing.

And yes, it does have the vacuum advance line on it.

 

Yup points. Another question does it have a ballast resistor on the firewall will be in the wire going to the coil. They will give you the same symptoms.

 

no, it doesnt have a ballast resistor.

Now the big question, how do i set my points?
(im off to get a new set of points and condenser right now)

 

The better question is where to buy a Pertronix conversion kit.
They come highly recommended, I love mine, runs better and you don't ever have to replace or set your points again.
It just replaces the guts of your distributor, it uses a hall-effect sensor instead of actual points to send spark, its more accurate and it never wears down or out.
http://www.quadratec.com/products/17612_000.htm

 

Typically you'd use a dwell meter to set the points. The procedure and specs should be in the factory service manual. I'm pretty sure this is not the correct distributor for '74 though, since you have a Prestolite box on the fender that was likely original.

 

It was the points. the point that sits up and contacts the lobes on the distributor was worn down to nothing. Little tune up on the carb and she'll run great.


Does anyone know how to wire the 5 wire alternator that i have?