Carb'd cars require an old time approach to troubleshooting.
1,) Pull the air cleaner and sniff for fuel vapor - look for signs of flooding. Don't see any evidence of flooding? Then pump the throttle - does the accelerator pump squirt fuel? If so then you have enough fuel to start the engine. If not look for fuel delivery problems. Check the fuel pump, and fuel filter.
Now that you know that you have fuel, check the ignition.
2.) Remove push on connector from starter solenoid and turn ignition switch on. Place car in neutral or Park. Remove coil wire from distributor & and hold 3/8” away from engine block. Jumper the screw to the big bolt on the starter solenoid that has the battery wire connected to it. You should get a nice fat blue spark.
Most of the items are electrical in nature, so a test light, or even better, a voltmeter, is helpful to be sure they have power to them.
No spark, possible failed items in order of their probability:
A.) Coil
B.) Distributor PIP sensor
C.) No power to ignition system wiring or ignition box (if used)
3.) Spark at coil wire, pull #1 plug wire off at the spark plug and check to see spark. No spark, possible failed items in order of their probability:
A.) Moisture inside distributor – remove cap, dry off & spray with WD40
B.) Distributor cap
C.) Rotor
D.) Spark Plug wires
E.) Coil weak or intermittent - you should see 3/8" fat blue spark with a good coil
4.) Spark at spark plug, but no start.
Next, get a can of starting fluid (ether) from your local auto parts store: costs a $1.30 or so. Then pull the air duct off at the throttle body elbow, open the throttle, and spray the ether in it. Reconnect the air duct and try to start the car. Do not try to start the car without reconnecting the air duct. If it backfires, the chance for a serious fire is increased.
