Calling all 55-56 Pontiac owners, and anyone else helpful!

Gas is fresh it's definintely getting it because I can smell it after trying to start the car. Then again I have no exhaust system on. But still. Also sprayed directly into carb and still nothing, just cranking. I don't have the proper ratchets to remove the spark plugs so...looks like I'm not doing that now -_-

 

Photo of the distributor in case it might help...maybe one of you can see something that I don't see.

 

If you know you have fuel, it's safe to assume you're not getting spark. If it's not even coughing or trying to fire, it's likely not a plug/wire issue, although I'd probably put new plugs/wires on it anyway. I would replace the condenser first. Cheap and easy. Good place to start.

 

Pull the rotor off the distributor (just pull straight up) and photograph it again. The rotor is hiding what needs to be seen-the points and rubbing block. Try to bump the engine over to where the rubbing block on the movable point arm is on one of the high points of the cam. The points should be about the thickness of a matchbook cover apart, but I'll bet they're not and that's your problem.

 

Okay my points aren't even stuck together. I was just able to move them with just my finger...so what now?
I'm gonna keep from posting so I don't wear all of you out...I'll just post back with any updates within a couple days. I'm going to try to figure this out with some almost direct help from a couple of people but if not, I'll just let someone professional do it...as easy as people say it is, I'm having a lot of trouble. Maybe just wiring and paint is my area instead of the engine itself. We'll see....
Thanks again everyone

 

I am pulling for you.

I did not search youtube since I am on my phone but find a how to set points video.

 

I suggested to 56PP (Sterling) that he hold off from posting questions for now, because due to his inexperience, even with all your good input, it's difficult and getting confusing and frustrating for him...which is understandable. And you guys are gonna get a little frustrated too with him asking, "Where is it?" or "What is it?", etc. So he and I are gonna talk. I'll walk him through it, and I'm sure we can figure it out. He'll learn some stuff, and he can be proud he fixed it with his own hands. And as a bonus, he'll save some $ from not having to take it to a shop.

No worries, Sterling.

 

Thanks, 1964CS. That's the ticket.

 

OK, we've got one thread closed by the moderator and we're 69 posts into thread number two and this guy still won't do a simple spark test that has been suggested over and over and over and over again. He says his friend might be a doofus (BTW, he is), but I am beginning to wonder about the OP.
For the love of God, will you please check for spark. What is so frikken hard about it??? Am I missing something here??

 

Must be afraid of a little spark ..... He he he

 

Oh please, don't start crap with me again on another post....
It would be nice if I could even put my distributor cap back on so I can actually do that. And if you read in the earlier posts, I found out that my socket/ratchet set won't even fit the spark plugs. I just got home and I'm looking for another spark plug that I can use so I can plug it in and test that on each of the plugs also.

 

Nobody is starting crap with you. You can do the spark test without a single tool. Hold the plug wire close (1/16, or so, inch from bare metal and crank the engine) Your not being able to get the cap back on is a bit astonishing. It is as simple a devise as has ever been created. Two little clips. Someone put them on, originally. You should be able to do the same. Look at the distributor body. There will be a notch on the periphery. There will be a matching protrusion on the inside of the cap. Line them up. Snap the clips into the top of the cap. It really is that simple

 

^Must be nice to have had the 40+ years experience when you were 16.

 

Ignore them, 56PP. They're not worth the time or effort...lol.

Don't even dignify their offensive comments with a response.
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By the time I was 16, I had rebuilt 2 engines......by myself.
Next lame attempt at making me look bad.
BTW, I really am trying to help, but the PO is making it difficult. As far as putting a distributor cap back on, it's slightly more complicated that putting the lid back onto a jar of peanut butter

 

Those of you with a 56 Pontiac know how difficult it is to put that cap back on because the way that engine compartment is.
Stopped over my friends house tonight and his dad who restores cars is gonna help me. He said from what i described, it sound like I flooded the engine. Tomorrow after I get the cap back on I'm gonna hold the pedal down WHILE cranking. Also he has the correct tools to get the plugs out.
It all gon be k friends

 

on some cars i used a screwdriver to snap the clip back on the cap if it was tight to get my fingers in there, you have to hold the cap down with one hand while installing the clip.

 

I did it before I know I can do it again. I just decided to take a break before I got too frustrated, I'll get at it again tomorrow after work. It's just the way the distributor cap is set in my car, you can barely access it. The front clip is BARELY moveable because it is right next to a hard line(fuel line? I dunno lol ) but I know I'll get it. I tried pliers, haven't tried screwdriver. That's what did it last time. I should probably find mine....

 

So, does anyone have suggestions on what to do with the package rail? Mine is in good condition...what do you do, do you cut a piece of cardboard or something and glue it down? Do you just cover it up with carpet or a blankets pulled snug? I was thinking of just putting a blanket over it and putting perhaps a nice doily on top..

 

I can answer that.... Don't do anything to it. Forget about it until you've figured out how to put the distributor cap back on and get it to fire. Let's get this thing running before you change course man. FOCUS KID, FOCUS! You're starting to sound like me.... I had a loose wire on my HEI distributor of my '54 chev 10 years ago. Not saying I got distracted, but here I am 10 years later and the car has a new motor, new trans, new floor, new brakes, new master, new lines, new interior, but it sure fixed that damn loose wire.

 

Was just looking to get some opinions and ideas...since it's night time and I'm about to go to bed (job early in the morning) I just wanted to see what some of you guys did.
My cap I'll get on tomorrow it just takes a lot of fussing with. I didn't get to do work until late this night which is why I wasn't able to get it in. Dark so its' hard to see...

 

The steering wheel center does not light up, although it would be cool if it did!!!

 

Have you thought about going to a Pertronix or the like electronic ignition in place of your points etc. ?

 

In the future I will probably...

 

She's dying to go for a night time drive in the rain, with those still working vacuum wipers... except I think I got blown off again today -_- so no work on it. Guess I'll just continue putting weather stripping on. Maybe another person who has the correct socket wrenches can come over so I can take out my spark plugs. Gah the waiting is terrible...

 

Where do you live? I live in holmes NY, work in tarrytown. I'm not a auto mechanic at all, but we can deffinantly get an idea of what is going on, and hopefully get her to start for you. Check for power on the distributor side of your ballast resistor. I've seen mechanics jump em out to test but I wouldn't.... Could damage the points I'm thinking... Hell check both sides of the resistor, if you don't have 12 volts at the ign. side then you know you don't have spark, check the junction block on the drivers side fender of you engine bay, make sure all those are tight..... This is all with ignition on


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I'm way up north from you in Schenectady. Where is the ballast resistor at..? I thought that was only on cars post 1971 or something.

 

It's on the firewall, white bar looking thing with two wire ports, follow the ignition wire from the dizzy to it on the fire wall. Should be bellow your heating core to the left a little on the fire wall... If I remember correct And if mine and/or yours wasn't relocated at some point


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You deff should have one


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