Okay so I got my car back from the shop and it started like a dream and ran great. I took it over to the transmission shop to get a shift kit and a manual lock-up switch installed. When I went and picked it up it struggled to start, but I eventually got it started and drove it home. When I came home from school last friday, I tried to start it up. It started after a few tries, but only when I had my foot on the gas which shouldn't be necessary with an electric choke. After I got it started, it would only run above 1500 rpms. I started it a few times, and every time I let my foot off the gas, it died. I went out there today and tried to start it, and it will turn over and run for a second then die. Anybody have any ideas as to what the problem might be?

 

Your problem makes me wonder if something has become disconnected during the transmission work.

You say you have an electric choke; perhaps check that the electric choke thermostat is getting 12V like it should be when the engine is running. Maybe somebody disconnected the +12V source when wiring up the manual lock-up switch.

If the electric choke coil wasn't getting power it would keep the choke closed all the time and would idle like a pig (mega-rich) or not idle at all until you bring the revs way up and it pulls the choke open a tad.

Otherwise, give us more info and I'll take another stab...

 

Well now the car wont start at all. I checked a few of the plugs before my fingers about froze off and they looked to have oil deposits on them.

 

We need more info. Does it crank and crank and crank but never start? Does it not even crank? What?

Basically: fuel, air, compression, spark. Which aren't you getting?

 

It will crank but will not start. I know it is getting air because I have tried starting it with my foot on the throttle. I know it is getting gas because I looked in the carb while moving the throttle and fuel squirts out. So basically it is down to compression or spark. If you read my first post it's almost like there has been a gradual progression from running fine to not starting.

 

Since it cranks, you should have compression, unless the starter, for some reason, isn't engaging the flexplate.

Pull a plug and make sure you're getting spark. Once that's verified (either existing or lack there of), you can work from there. Ignition module, coil, etc.

 

Both the starter or fuel pump could go out unexpectedly as well as something related
Bill

 

The starter works fine as it cranks quite easily. I will try to check the spark tomorrow and see if that is the problem. My ignition module and coil went bad a few weeks ago and are practically brand new.