1977 Chevy Nova wont start?

Asked by SergioN Feb 12, 2014 at 09:19 PM about the 1977 Chevrolet Nova

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I own a 77 Nova and for a while it would run perfect and drive just fine. Then one day I went
to go drive it but it wont start at all. It will crank but not fully start. I have switched the
battery, the spark pluges, the starter. Sometimes it would start but only for a few
seconds.

8 Answers

44,965

Is it getting gas to the carb? If it is Check the distributor cap & button. If these are ok replace the ignition module.

3 people found this helpful.
51,255

If your cranking the motor over and it will not start, why change the battery? First check if you have spark to the plugs. Next check if when you pump the gas, your carburetor jets shoot gas into the intake/carburetor. If there is spark at the plugs, the cap and distributor may be good. If there is gas going into the carburetor from the jets, you are getting gas. Next check the timing. Sometimes the di=distributor may turn and put you out of correct timing. Why change the starter if it is turning over the engine? You changed the plugs but did you check if spark is even getting to them? Your distributor cap may be cracked, points burned, or coil bad or wire off. Find the problem before throwing money at parts that may not need changing. If there is other issues, you need to spell it out as to why all these items were changed. This method is called "Trouble shooting". Find out what isn't working and fix it. Boy oh boy will you be upset if it is just a coil wire that is lose.

6 people found this helpful.
20

I think it could be a coil if u don't got points in it no more coil just could be bad cheap and that's a good start for "trouble shooting"

2 people found this helpful.
10

The carburetor is not gatting any gas what can be the problem?

1 people found this helpful.
51,255

GuruDGHMJ, first disconnect the gas line from the carburetor. Then have someone turn over the engine and see if there is gas flowing out of the gas line. If so, the issue is in the carburetor itself. Change the jets to see if there is a blockage there. If not, unless you understand the carburetor system, have the carburetor overhauled or replace it with a new/rebuilt one. If there is no gas flowing, check to see if the filters are plugged. Some may be removed and blow through them. If it blows through early, that is not the issue. I'd replace them with new one anyway. Next disconnect the gas line just after the gas pump on the engine. Again have someone turn the engine and see if the gas flows from the pump. If not, disconnect the line leading into the pump from the tank. If there is no gas flowing, it is not the pump, rather another blocked filter or a blocked and contaminated fuel line. You may of gotten bas gas, and the filters at the gas station failed to filter it out. Bottom line is, start from the end course and work towards the gas tank. My bet is a filter clogged. next the gas line or tank. Next the gas pump itself, but they are reliable and can last decades. The gas tank can be pressurized to push some obstructions out of the lines. It that works, replace the filters anyway.

2 people found this helpful.
51,255

Oh wes, I forgot, to check the gas tank lid itself. If it is plugged, it will prevent gas from flowing out, same as turning a bottle over, and not allowing air inside to prevent a vacuum and stopping the flow of liquid.

2 people found this helpful.

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