Cranks but won't start

FelixRoman1954 · Post by **FelixRoman1954** » Sat May 09, 2015 5:21 pm

my 1966 VW beetle cranks but won't start. I have changed it to an electronic ignition and an electric fuel pump. It was running last year when all of a sudden on a turn it shut off on me and would not start ever since that day, I checked the fuel pump and it seemed like it was not working so that's when I replaced it with an electric one and at the same time changed my distributor. Without knowing I turned the pulley and changed the TDC of the engine when I installed back the dist.. So what can I check now?

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Sat May 09, 2015 6:13 pm

Basically you need two things to work, ignition and fuel.

h~moto · Post by **h~moto** » Sat May 09, 2015 8:37 pm

I'm not sure why the service manuals make a big deal about setting the distributor to #1 TDC. The slot in the engine that the distributor fits into is offset and the distributor can only be installed one way.

darzoom · Post by **darzoom** » Sun May 10, 2015 6:06 am

Are you saying you still have fuel and spark? Check the two things fuel and ignition. With the key on does the electric fuel pump output fuel? Have you taken the plugs out and put one plug back in a plug wire and turn the engine over and look to see if it sparks across the electrode? IT should spark even if the timing is off.

The distributor can't go in but one way. It may be that the timing is off when you installed the distributor because you had it twisted in the clamp.

You can check TDC by looking at your pulley and see the notch is straight up. with the number one plug out, use a screwdriver in the #1 plug hole and you should be able to feel the piston.

Have fun!