My car won't start!

[select14u]

Firstly, this is my first post so let me say hello to everybody.
Secondly, please forgive me if I've posted this on the wrong bit!
I've got a '68 moggy saloon that has recently decided to turn over but not start.
Prior to this happening I noticed my fuel pump going like crazy as I was driving around town in traffic but this disappeared when I hit a duel carriageway and then it was fine all the way home so I assumed it was just a temporary blockage.
When next I tried to start the car that's when the fun started, (or didn't - depending on how you look at it).
To date I've fitted a new set of points, new distributor cap, rocker arm, condenser, low tension lead, coil, plugs, checked the fuel pump, float chamber, feed pipe from said to carb, kicked it several times and have now run out of ideas.
Can anybody help me please or has my pride and joy chucked the towel in and died and am I fighting a lost and expensive cause here?
Mike

[PSL184]

Don't panic ! Basics first. Check fuel is getting to carb. (Does fuel pump tick when ign is turned on?). If fuel is OK, check for a spark at the plugs. Take each plug out and lay it on the engine with HT lead still attached and check for a spark. Report back with findings.....

[Matt Tomkins]

failing the basics, would be useful to state your location in cose someone local would be so kind as to take a look for you

[Dean]

PSL has it spot on... don't panic, we can talk or post you through it.

After checking fuel and spark, let us know what happened or didn't happen.

[MarkyB]

am I fighting a lost and expensive cause here?

Absolutely not, Minor engines are nice and simple to fix, cheap too unless they run out of oil unnoticed.
Try taking off the air cleaner and putting about an egg cup full of petrolm down the the carb.
If it shows signs of running a bit the problem is on the fuel side, if it doesn't look at the electrics.
New rotor arms have a very poor reputation for reliability.

Edit; typo!

[bmcecosse]

And it's never the coil....... You have changed so many things now - possibly not correctly, that a diagnosis 'at a distance' will now be difficult. I suggest you start by checking the fuel pump delivery - and as above - check for sparks.....

[chickenjohn]

If fuel is getting to the carb and you have a spark there is one problem that is cropping up more and more since the dreaded ethanol has been put in unleaded. Undo the three screws and lift off the carb float chamber, if there is a lot of silt, or even a jelly like substance as some have found then the pipe between float chamber and carb jet may be blocked.

As said above, which part of the country are you in??

[bmcecosse]

You can test for fuel problems by tipping some fuel down the carb throat (or spraying a flammable gas into the intake) and cranking the engine. If it starts/runs for a few seconds - then the sparks are ok! It must be a fuel delivery problem. This can save hours of 'fun' chasing the wrong problem.........

[knmstag]

Hi to all MMOC crew,
I am becoming increasingly frustrated as my Morris Minor (1971 saloon) will not start.
It's a very original genuine low mileage car, still positive earth, with the dynamo.
It was running well about a month ago, but left for a few weeks, but now refuses to start.
There is a spark at all plugs and points, fuel is being pumped to carburettor.
I've replaced HT leads, coil, condenser, checked rotor arm & LT lead....but will not fire at all!
It turns over with ease.
I've checked float chamber, replaced the needle & seat valve. Still no joy!
All ideas and suggestions welcome
Kevin Murray - Coventry Area.

[simmitc]

This appears to be a new problem on the back of an old thread, but is also duplicated under "other" here: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=67974.
To avoid splitting advice I'm going to lock this thread and transfer the responses to the other thread. Hope that's OK with everyone.

[oliver90owner]

A good idea! Duplicate threads, particularly in separate sections, are a pain.