Okay here's the story,
Just bought this 1984 Z-28, with a 305 V8. Auto trans, 4 barrell quadrajet carb, it has 110,000 on it. Ran fine for a few days then wouldn't start. It tries to catch, but won't. I have checked the following: fuel pump (good), fuel filter (good), I replaced the dist. cap and rotor (no change), ignition coil (good), 20 amp fuse from the batt (good). Any help will be greatly appreciated, running out of ideas. Thanks

 

UPDATE!!!. I have spark to all 8 cyls, and gas is coming out of the fuel pump. But I have a clicking sound coming from the carb as soon as I turn on the ignition switch. It stays on for about 20 seconds then stops, but every time I try and start the car it's there. Can anyone tell me what this is, Thanks.

 

OK, I always tell people what is the last thing that you did. I would double check the plug wires in the cap and to the plugs. The clicking noise is the Mixture Control Solonoid on the carb and is normal. When you checked the fuel pump did you do a capasity and pressure test?? You must stick to the basics so your next move is to do a compression test. Maybe your timing chain jumped a few teeth?

Auggie

 

The last thing I did was turn down the idle with the fast idle screw. It was idling around 1200 and I brought it down around 850. Took it out for a drive to test did fine, and that was the last time it started. Thanks for the help
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Just did the capasity check not the presure check. What should I loook for in the pressure test? I will do that first thing in the morning. Didn't know they could jump teeth. I will check the timing as well. Thanks

 

You must do a compresion test to varify that your engine is sound. In order to do a fuel pump pressure and flow test the engine must be running at idle but I think you could remove all the spark plugs and with a fully charged batt. you may be able to spin the engine and do the tests. Disconnect the fuel line at the carb and connect a fuel pump pressure gauge. Spin the engine and you should have a reading of 5 1/2# to 6 1/2# and steady. For the flow test connect a piece of fuel line to the fuel line that you disconnected at the carb and put it into a qt. container. Spin the engine and while watching a second hand the pump should pump at least (1) pt. of fuel in 30 sec. into the container. As long as you have the plugs out you might as well do a comp. test. Oh, you had better disconnect the HEI connector at the dist.

Auggie

 

Very simple, you have spark on all plugs, and you see fuel in carb. Make sure you hooked spark plugs wires up correctly. Also increase idle a little on that screw. If it tries to catch that sounds like a timing problem. Be sure to check wire and make sure dist cap on right.

 

Okay,
Did volume and presure tests on fuel pump, both good. I had my buddy turn it over while I manually worked throttle and saw gas going into the carb, still no start. I am going to look at the timing this evening and see where it is. Also, I was reading where there is a signal that comes from the dist. If that's missing could that cause this problem? Thanks

 

There is a signal from the computer to the distributor to control timing while running. But, the engine will run without that connected, as long as you have power to the distributor.

Since you've been pumping fuel into the engine without it starting for awhile, it might be a good idea to pull all the plugs and dry out the plugs and cylinders.

 

SUCCESS!!!!!!!. It is running. While I was doing the checks on the dist. I placed my hand the cap and IT MOVED!!!!!. I got my timing light, retimed it and it started right up. A BIG THANKS to all those that helped me out. This is a good place to get information, and I just wanted to say thanks!!. I also went right out and bouoght a new clamp for the dist!!!!
zzdogman