I have a "66 El Camino 396 with Holley 4160 and HEI. Recently moved to Colorado from NY and after trying almost everything I can think of the !#^#! thing still wont start.

I've overhauled the carb and dropped the jetting from 72 to 66 to compensate for the altitude change. Wont run with either size jet. Replaced the HEI coil, the wires, and plugs. Checked the timing---it was about 8 degrees ATDC so I adjusted to about 2-3 deg BTDC. Electric choke is disconncted and the horn is fully open. Checked spark and getting good spark at the plugs when I turn it over.

When I turn it over it sounds like it is trying to fire, especially when I gas the accellerator pump...but it wont fire up no matter what I try.

So I've run out of ideas--before I push it off the cliff anyone have any ideas???

Was the battery disconnected or removed for any length of time?

If it was, when you reconnected it, did you remember to reconnect the main power feed line to the fuseblock? I'm not exactly certain on a '66 ... but there should be a power feed line that goes from the positive battery post to a connector block on the radiator support (in front of the battery). From the connector block, another wire runs to the horn relay, and, from there, feeds the fuseblock.

Yep the powerfeed is hooked up correctly from the battery. And there is excellent voltage to the fusebox and results in a solid spark....thanks for the idea though I hadnt though of it.

I'm really NOT trying to be a jerk, but you have checked that you are getting fuel from the carb and have you done a compression check.

If you have spark, fuel, and adaquate compression... you should run. At least to some extent.

Again, sorry for getting back to basics but you have to start somewhere.

Greg

Sherm...how long has it been since the car ran LAST?
Don't push it off a cliff!! Would make a nice companion to my '66 sm.blk.!

What part of NY were you in..?

....spark plugs wet with gas when removed?(flooding)float too high??
....spark plugs dry?(not enough gas)plugged filter?plugged strainer in tank?
Did you try pouring a couple of ounces of fresh gas into the primary side of the carb?
Backfiring thru carb or exhaust?

I have a "66 El Camino 396 with Holley 4160 and HEI. Recently moved to Colorado from NY and after trying almost everything I can think of the !#^#! thing still wont start.

I've overhauled the carb and dropped the jetting from 72 to 66 to compensate for the altitude change. Wont run with either size jet. Replaced the HEI coil, the wires, and plugs. Checked the timing---it was about 8 degrees ATDC so I adjusted to about 2-3 deg BTDC. Electric choke is disconncted and the horn is fully open. Checked spark and getting good spark at the plugs when I turn it over.

When I turn it over it sounds like it is trying to fire, especially when I gas the accellerator pump...but it wont fire up no matter what I try.

So I've run out of ideas--before I push it off the cliff anyone have any ideas???

The easiest check for gas is to look in the carb with a flashlight and work the throttle to verify a pump shot. You didn't say you did it, so I thought I'd throw it out there. Holley is usually a two full pump and then start kind of deal.

If it was me, I'd back the idle screws in, and out 1.5 turns to start off with. Since you moved to high altitude, the carb needs to be recalibrated anyway. It SEEMS easier to recalibrate a Holley for altitude to me. I bought a used one that was too lean, started at teh base line for the jets, and it ran fine with 2 sizes smaller. I currently run a Qjet, and it was fine at 2000 feet, but now here at 6200, its rich. Both jets AND rods to contend with.

Anyway, crap gas can also be the culprit, as suggested earlier. You could always drain the tank and start with a fresh batch. IF you have spark and compression, it can only be gas.

Buzzbomb,
It last ran about 2 months ago. Definitely getting fuel through the accellerator pump I can see the pumpshot clearly. I've tried it with idle screws at 1 1/2 and also at 1/2 and didn't help either. I even put fresh gas in but this didnt help. Hmmmmm

....spark plugs wet with gas when removed?(flooding)float too high??
....spark plugs dry?(not enough gas)plugged filter?plugged strainer in tank?
Did you try pouring a couple of ounces of fresh gas into the primary side of the carb?
Backfiring thru carb or exhaust?
Big Fred
I lived in Webster NY off Bay Road/104. Not too far from your place.
I pulled the plugs recently and they were indeed wet. I left them out of the block for a day to air things out. I also changed the oil (and it was also full of gas.) But I checked the float level and it was ok-just under the sight hole.
Im thinking now need to dry it out again after the jet change and see if that helps?

Sherm.... Don down the street on Dewitt!
What a coincidence.
Float level on secondary bowl??

Possible HUGE vacuum leak?

Buzzbomb,
It last ran about 2 months ago. Definitely getting fuel through the accellerator pump I can see the pumpshot clearly. I've tried it with idle screws at 1 1/2 and also at 1/2 and didn't help either. I even put fresh gas in but this didnt help. Hmmmmm

Well, that rules that out. HOWEVER- you said the plugs were wet. You know what I would do? Change the plugs to new ones, and change the oil. The plugs of today don't recover that well from being flooded, AND you probably have gas in your oil now. Seriously- try changing the plugs to new ones; its relatively cheap and easy. If anything, going from NY to CO will just make it run rich.

Don I thought it might be you but the name threw me off. Great to hear from you, and no I had not thought of the secondary float I will check it and let you know

I changed the oil and plugs last week--oil was FULL of gas and the plugs were fouled rich. Also changed the wires. I'm going to pull the plugs out and let things air out a few days then try again

Bradley,
Checked all vacuum and seems to be ok. I have the distributor line, the power brake line, and have also verified a good carburetor seal. I think this is all the vacuum possible connections. Also even though the motor doesnt run it pulls about 5 in hg at the power brake when I turn the starter. Any idea if this is reasonable?

Sherm.....did you go thru the carb before or after this problem occurred?

I changed the oil and plugs last week--oil was FULL of gas and the plugs were fouled rich.

How FULL of gas was the oil? Like, really "watered-down" and thin, plus a couple quarts overfull, FULL? If so, does the car have a mechanical fuel pump? It is POSSIBLE that the diaphram (sp?) in the fuel pump (if mechanical) is bad, and most of the fuel is pumping into the crank case. I had that happen once. Try to check the fuel pressure at the carb inlet.

Hi Don,
When I moved the car here in May I tried to start it but no luck----this was when I first had the issue. So I rebuilt the carb with a Holley trick kit. I was able to start it once right after the rebuild but it ran really poorly. But the next time I tried to run it it wouldnt start at all.

Also I checked the secondary float and it was ok. Both float levels are just below the sight hole (when the car is off of course. I also checked them when the starter is engaged and no difference.)

Good idea I hadnt thought of that one. I'll check it

You Said That After Replacing The Hei Coil And Wires That The Timing Was After Tdc So You Adjusted The Timing. I Am Curious How Fresh Is The Motor And Is The Timing Chain A Possibility As A Problem. Old School Says If You Have Fuel Air Spark Compression It Has To Run Unless The Timing Is Badly Retarded Can You Check The Chain By Setting Crank At Tdc And Removing The Distributor Cap And Using A Rachet Move The Crank Back And Forth And Watch The Rotor The Delay Should Not Be Long Before The Rotor Moves And Mark The Total Variation If You Get More Than 6 Degrees Somthing No Good. If You Succeed In Getting It Running I Would Add A Vacuum Gauge And See What It Reads.

Sherm...I can't help but think that we're missing something here with the floats.....symptoms are screaming that they're too high.
Anyone around to "assist" you? I would try this....disconnect 12v source to distributor...don't think I'd want any errant sparks to try this.
Remove sight plugs from carb..have assistant crank engine for a few seconds and see if gas starts spilling(gushing??) out.If so..it would indicate that the level is to high.
What method did you use to set floats when carb was off of the engine?
When I've had to set Holley floats off of the car I invert the bowl,adjust needle/seat assy. so that the top of the float(top when its on the car!)is parallel to the top of the bowl.This method is spelled out in an old "MOTORS"
Repair manual as a "static" setting...should get it close enough to run it and make your final adjustments with engine running.
Just thought of this....car is parked on a fairly level surface?!!!!!

....this would be a lot easier if you were still "up the road":)

Well boys I got it going this morning. After being gone for 3 days (I had let it dry out during that time. Fired right up and runs just like a bib block should. Thanks for everyone's help and advice!

Before you shove the thing over a cliff, tow it up to Eden Utah, I'll get'er running. That's the problem with you New Yorkers, all you know is hybrid vehicles that run on rice hauls or hydrogen.


Ned

Before you shove the thing over a cliff, tow it up to Eden Utah, I'll get'er running. That's the problem with you New Yorkers, all you know is hybrid vehicles that run on rice hauls or hydrogen.


Ned

You'd just pour a fifth of Kettle One into the gastank and expect it to start.