1973 Charger Starting Issue

[cowboyup39]

Hello All,
I just purchased a 1973 Charger with a 440 Magnum and I'm having a hell of a time trying to get it started.  There is a mess of wires which have been spliced but I believe all is connected correctly.  It seems the system is just not producing enough spark to start the engine.  I am receiving spark just not enough.  I have replaced the cap and rotor and it first sounded like it wanted to start but them just seems flooded with gas and wont.  Does it sound like the pick-up coil or any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Gerry

[JB400]

Do you have a strong battery?  When you get the chance, I'd replace your wiring and lose all of the splices,  That'd help with some of your electrical issues.

[cowboyup39]

Thanks for the response.  The battery is new so ill definitely replace all wiring.

[ACUDANUT]

Will it fire on ether, without touching the gas pedal.?  When was the last time it ran ?

[cowboyup39]

Hello and thanks for the response. Not sure when the last time it ran.  I purchased it about a month ago and was told it had been sitting for quite a while. Oil, plugs, transmission fluid all look good. Tries to start but wont.  As if not enough spark. Just had seen articles where it stated that if pickup coil was not working correctly it wouldnt send enough juice to plugs. Wires coming out of distributor are brittle and insulation has cracking.

[NHCharger]

Possible bad ballast resistor or Orange box. Your carb could be all gummed up from sitting.

[71 SE3834V]

Hello and thanks for the response. Not sure when the last time it ran.  I purchased it about a month ago and was told it had been sitting for quite a while. Oil, plugs, transmission fluid all look good. Tries to start but wont.  As if not enough spark. Just had seen articles where it stated that if pickup coil was not working correctly it wouldnt send enough juice to plugs. Wires coming out of distributor are brittle and insulation has cracking.

Are you talking the spark plug wires are cracked? If so then yes, you could be losing spark from the wires and not getting enough to the plugs. They need to be replaced. You might try having someone crank it over in the dark and you look to see if you see sparks jumping out the wires to the engine.

[Cooter]

You would not believe how many times I've bought cars/worked on cars like these from so called "Mopar guys" that can't seem to get a distributor in without being 180 degrees out. First things first. I'd check your Distirbutor and make sure it isn't 180 out, or so retarded it won't fire and all your doing is loading the plugs. Then, I'd check to see if I had ANY spark from the cap to wire, then from wire to plug. Same thing with the coil.

Check the plugs and make sure they aren't cracked, gapped correctly, etc.

[Indygenerallee]

You would not believe how many times I've bought cars/worked on cars like these from so called "Mopar guys" that can't seem to get a distributor in without being 180 degrees out. First things first. I'd check your Distirbutor and make sure it isn't 180 out, or so retarded it won't fire and all your doing is loading the plugs. Then, I'd check to see if I had ANY spark from the cap to wire, then from wire to plug. Same thing with the coil.

Check the plugs and make sure they aren't cracked, gapped correctly, etc.

X2 Cover the simple basics first.

[74Rallye]

Check your ignition components, then buy a wiring harness or replace the cobbled up wires. One crappy connection is all it takes.

[archie360]

Yup, basic's first.  If that doesn't do it I'd check and make sure one of your floats hasn't sunk.  If the carb is dumping alot of fuel, even with good spark your going to have problems.  Chances are good the carb could use a rebuild anyway.

[chargd72]

You selling it already?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973-DODGE-CHARGER-440-ENGINE-/330925527495?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4d0cb2d1c7

[Indygenerallee]

Is the maroon car beside it a Torino Talledega?!