Engine Turning Over, But Not Starting

[mishu 0]

I cleaned up the engine bay during the last week (and more -- see here) and tonight I tried to start it. After a few complaints (new fuel lines took some time to fill, even with fuel poured into the carb), it did.

 

It kept going strong after it started, even had the choke all the way down once it got warm. I opened up the bleed nipple over the carb to make sure all the air gets out (read in some post some people do this), but there was already coolant coming out, so I closed it back again.

 

After about 5 minutes, I was looking at the engine checking the power to the starter when the engine suddenly died (slowly dropped revs and poof). I tried to start it back up again but only got the starter turning the crank. I thought it might be the carb not getting enough gas thorugh the new fuel lines, but then I smelled some unburnt gasoline, so that isn't it. After a few more unsuccessful attempts to start it (starter kept turning, but no ignition I guess), the starter starting doing its old trick again. It started to turn the flywheel slower and slower, in the end I could barely hear the brushes with my head in the engine bay.

 

So, I'm taking the starter back out and to an electrician tomorrow, I guess I'll find out whether I need a new one or whether this one can still be saved, so that takes care of one problem.

 

What do you think could cause the other problem (engine turning over, but not starting). I was thinking it might be the ignition.. but there are new HT leads, and I just cleaned the spark plugs. Maybe the dizzy/distributor? Any way to check? Any other suspects?

 

Thanks! Sorry for the long(-ish) post.

Edited September 7, 2006 by mishu

[mishu 0]

UPDATE: I took the starter to an electrician today and he replaced some brushes and cleaned it. Runs great now, and the other problem (apparently no ignition) is gone, car started on first try. Will write that one off as a coincidence.

 

Yay! Car works