1965 Buick Skylark 4.9, 300 Cranks but won’t start

[JMJ]

I have a base model 1965 Buick Skylark 4.9, 300 that cranks but won’t start, even with starting fluid.

I had to replace the battery since it died and would not recharge. The battery was about 4 years old so it was bound to happen. This is a garage kept car and I drive it every other weekend or so.

That weekend I needed the space, so I pulled the car out of the garage and left it out overnight in the cold (20-30 degrees). I went to start it and get it back in to the garage later the next day and it would not start. I figured it was just cold and kept trying until I smelled gas so I assumed I flooded the engine. I decided to let it sit for another day to see if that would help.

On the second day, with a fresh new battery and some starting fluid, I tried again and no luck. I could see that I was getting gas through the carburetor jets and I had plenty of power from the new battery but still no luck.

I did some research and found that in most of these cases either the spark plugs get wet it can foul them or possibly the ignition coil is bad. I pulled two spark plugs and they look ok not terribly bad. I then decided to buy an ignition coil since the odds are that this is the culprit. Once I replaced the ignition coil, I start cranking and still no start with starting fluid.

I also just ordered new spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor kit, contact points and sea foam motor treatment for the fuel tank. I will be installing these once the parts come in.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[ulycyc]

Pull the coil wire out of the distributor and hold the end about 1/4 in away from any metal ground and see if you have spark jump. Have someone crank the engine for you.

 

[JMJ]

Pull the coil wire out of the distributor and hold the end about 1/4 in away from any metal ground and see if you have spark jump. Have someone crank the engine for you.

Since I already replaced the ignition coil, wouldn’t I have spark? If not then what would be the next item to check?

 

[ulycyc]

points, condensor, coil resistor, broken or grounded wires can cause no spark along with your new coil

 

[JMJ]

Just got more intel, it has an after market HEI Distributor.

 

[ulycyc]

ok, then pull any plug wire insert a screwdriver in the plug end and hold a 1/4inch away from ground as someone cranks the car

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Pull the cap off the distributor check it and the rotor for carbon build up or corrosion quick visual inspection.

 

[ulycyc]

HEi rotors and distributors will have corrosion buildup and mostly normal and still fire.

Before us giving misdirected help please give more detail on your setup. Is the aftermarket HEI a standalone unit or maybe with MSD with a 6AL CDI box. If so could be as simple as a fuse

 

[LARRY70GS]

With the Big Cap GM HEI, the common failures are the pick up coil and the module. Take the cap off and check the condition of the rotor button on the bottom of the cap. Move the wires around from the pick up coil to the module, put the cap back on and try to start the engine. If it suddenly starts, replace the pick up coil. What happens occasionally with the pick up coils is that the leads develop an intermittent loss of continuity.

 

[ulycyc]

Larry he said he replaced the coil. I assume he changed the spring loaded contact also

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

The OP ordered points and then mentioned HEI so nothing should be assumed until the OP confirms what is actually is installed. Could be a small cap HEI with a external coil, who knows.

 

[LARRY70GS]

Larry he said he replaced the coil. I assume he changed the spring loaded contact also

Assumption is the mother of all screw ups, LOL. My bet is the module or pick up coil. Pretty sure this same guy started a PM on V8 with me and a bunch of other members.

 

[LARRY70GS]

The OP ordered points and then mentioned HEI so nothing should be assumed until the OP confirms what is actually is installed. Could be a small cap HEI with a external coil, who knows.

Check post #5. I don't think this is the OP's car.

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Figured that out like someone on the phone relaying information from a person in the basement while the TV is on, stuff gets lost lol

 

[LARRY70GS]

Figured that out like someone on the phone relaying information from a person in the basement while the TV is on, stuff gets lost lol

Yeah, like I said, this same guy has a PM going with myself and 5 other V8 members. We would be better off dealing directly with the actual owner instead of by proxy.

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Well I'll let him be then.

 

[ulycyc]

This is like a 70's game show. I'll pass

 

[LARRY70GS]

He has no content at all on V8, I just checked. Just the PM. We may not be able to help, or get a resolution. That is the main reason I participate on these Forums, to help. Frustrating🙂

 

[JMJ]

Good afternoon.

I really appreciate all the assistance.

I apologize for the delayed responses on my end. I had neck surgery back in November and still on the recovery road so between fatigue and work, I can get sidetracked for extended periods of time.

I purchased this car back in July/Aug 2021 and I am still in communication with the previous owner hence the new intel.

I am attaching a couple of photos from the engine compartment as well for reference. I am not a mechanic by any means but I found out that many local shops do not like to work on classic cars these days so I am trying to do this myself. I have done brake jobs, oil changes, even a water pump or two. I am not familiar with the electrical side of automotive technology.

This is a HEI Distributor and I have already replaced the Ignition Coil and still no luck. I have purchased new sparkplugs but have not yet changed them. I attached pictures so you can see the condition of the existing versus new and tell me if you think these are foul.

I also ordered a new distributor cap & rotor kit, contact points and sea foam motor treatment for the fuel tank. I will be installing these once the parts come in. I ordered these parts before I knew this was an HEI Distributor so not sure these will work now.

Please advise.

Thank you,
Juan (JMJ)

 

[LARRY70GS]

OK, that is not a Big Cap GM HEI distributor. It is a small body distributor like the original points distributors. It may be an aftermarket distributor, or it may have been converted to electronic ignition with one of many available kits. It might help to see what is under the distributor cap. In any case, you need to check for spark first.