[SpeedDemon383]

The engine won't fire. It starts to crank but will never catch. It's a 318 4bbl. Car is a '74 Duster. We've tried everything to get it working, and nothing works. We think it has no compression...we have spark and fuel delivery. Any thoughts?

 

[MudFlap]

timing. line up your timing mark on the balancer to 0 and see where the rotor is pointing in the distributor. that's # 1. if you suspect no compression, then get a compression guage and see. welcome to the site.

 

[Chump]

timing. line up your timing mark on the balancer to 0 and see where the rotor is pointing in the distributor. that's # 1. if you suspect no compression, then get a compression guage and see. welcome to the site.

Yep...could be a bad timing chain and gears.

 

[SpeedDemon383]

The car ran before all this snow came. We took it out for a boot once or twice in the winter months, nothing major just something to get the fluids flowing. Now the damn thing won't even turn over and we did NOTHING to it over the past 3-5 months. We already set the timing really...used the balancer as well. Something isn't right here man. Shouldn't be doing this...

 

[Cooter]

I'd guess the chain too....does it backfire at all when cranking?
No compression will do it too (from my experience with a 340, also bend things). Try a compression test

 

[50ply]

Not turning at all? Did you get it rusted up, stuck? Stuck valves = no compression. And all it takes it a little condensation in the cylinder… or good old snow to get it stuck, all it needs to stop it from turning it the smallest amount of rust on the ring and walls. I have had to deal with a couple flathead 6’s that stupid farmers think they can leave the air cleaners off in the winter and store it out side… pull the plugs and get some marvel mystery oil down there or something and then get a good socket and cheater bar on the crank and try turning it.

 

[mid_evil_thymz]

Its one of a few things ...ignition... Got spark? hows the spark good and strong weak? Fuel... you say its getting gas. Tried to fire it with some ether or starting fluid? Air. is the carb getting air to mix with that fuel? check the vaccuum also. Next if the timing is right then check the compression if you aren't sure of the needs youi have for compression usually between 100 and 125 will do. Squirt some oil down into the cylinder head then check it again if it increases dramatically when you shoot a little oil in there then that's a compression issue. First and Foremost Don't panic. it could be something simple an ecm a ballast resistor. take your time and we'll figure it out.
Mid_evil_thymz..

 

[MudFlap]

Take your ignition module down to your local AutoZone and have it tested. If it's bad, go somewhere else to buy one. I suggest Oreilly's or NAPA, 'cause Wells sux. Get a new ballast resistor; they are only about $5 or so. Ignition modules will quit with no warning. Let us know what happens.

 

[SpeedDemon383]

Well we didn't really put oil into the spark plug holes. And on the new coil we bought, it says 6V. But on the new box it came in, it said 12V. Would that be a problem? The dude behind the counter told us that there shouldn't be a difference. Just I don't think they had coils for '74 Plymouth's. Compression testers. You just hook up the tester to the sparkplug or something? I don't really remember Anyway, any give me more things to do? Our other car just died...damn fuel pump went. Thanks Again!

 

[MudFlap]

To run a compression test, you hafta remove your spark plugs. You can get a compression guage at your local parts store reasonably priced. It will come with an adaptor that screws into your spark plug hole. Take out all the plugs before you start your comp test. be sure that you are consistent thru-out the whole test. If you let # 1 hit 4 times, then let the other 7 hit 4 times.

Did you try getting your ignition module tested and replacing the ballast resistor? That's the first place to start workin on a mopar that just suddenly won't fire. Try the module and resistor. Try the module and resistor. Try the module and resistor. Did I mention the module and resistor?

 

[SeahawkDodge]

Well we didn't really put oil into the spark plug holes. And on the new coil we bought, it says 6V. But on the new box it came in, it said 12V. Would that be a problem? The dude behind the counter told us that there shouldn't be a difference. Just I don't think they had coils for '74 Plymouth's. Compression testers. You just hook up the tester to the sparkplug or something? I don't really remember Anyway, any give me more things to do? Our other car just died...damn fuel pump went. Thanks Again!

If you have a coil rated for 6 volts in a 12 volt system, it won't work. The ballast resistor is bypassed during starting, delivering the full 12V to the coil.
If it fires up, then as soon as you release the key it dies, your ballast resistor is bad.
All internal combustion engines have coils. Your car should take a universal coil, which is the same on every vehicle from the fifties straight on up into the nineties (with a few notable exceptions).

 

[SpeedDemon383]

Well hopefully you all will be happy to know that the '74 Duster is going to go into the shop for awhile. My buddy recently came into some money finally so the car is getting a total make-over. The car is going to be amazing when it comes out come the beginning of the summer. I'll post some pics when the car is done. Some before & after effects! Thanks to whoever replied to this post, we needed all the help we could get

 

[pdxshorty]

But does it run

 

[MudFlap]

But does it run

My thoughts exactly!

 

[SpeedDemon383]

Not at the moment...lol! But it will...

 

[78machowgn4me]

try the ballast resistor or maybe the voltage regulator. do you have the right kind of battery in it?