'71 turns over, but DOES NOT START

[IGuessImaBusGuy]

I have lurked on this forum for hours upon hours trying to find a similar problem/solution. My apologies if this has been asked/answered and I could not find it. Here's my issue. '71 (built 02/71). I had it running 4th of July. Now... nothing. When it ran my config was a NEW 34 pict 3 installed February with a new 009 installed last year.

Broke down on the 110 freeway. Has not started since. It got towed home and that's when my ignorance compounded my problems. I began to let my mind wander. I read many posts trying to diagnose the issue. I started tweaking settings thinking loose ground, disconnected wire, timing issue etc.

However, I believe the break down was a result of running out of gas. . So I added some. I have returned to the configuration when it was last running. I get the engine to turn. But there is no action beyond the engine turning from the starter motor.

The problem that I can tell, is that there is power going to the ignition coil. But it does not exit the coil. I tested the coil(s) with an ohmmeter and everything looks good. But when I tested this by placing a timing gun with tach on the plug wires AND the lead coming from the ignition coil to the dizzy. I do not get any reading.

I have checked and rechecked TDC and I THINK it's correct. Battery is fully charged. Grounds have been checked, cleaned and rechecked.

I have tried to get it to start with both a Bosch and Pertronix igniation coil and an off the shelf 009 as well as one with a pertronix 1847A. Every combination yeilds no difference.

I have rebuilt the carburetor and I'm pretty sure it's dialed in correctly. All adjustments are for the default (2.5 - 3 turns on the idle speed adjusting screw and idle mixture screw.) Choke open slightly at rest and cold.

It hit me today that I must literally look insane to my neighbors. Going over ever inch of this bus trying to find the solution for weeks and never fixing the damn thing. So before I'm visited by the shrink my neighborhood has hired on my behalf I thought I would reach out for help. If I could just get it to idle I'd by elated because that'll show my nosy ass neighbors who is and who isn't crazy.

Thank you for your help here, and the countless other times I have visited this forum.

[OB Bus]

Spark-fuel-air.
OK, I know you think it is spark (and it might be), but..just in case..have you tried starter fluid or a small cupful of gas down the carb? Have you pulled a plug and checked to see if it is wet with fuel?
You sound like you really want this bus to run well. I understand that you put in a "new" 34pict. You might contact Volkzbitz about a German rebuilt carb. Also Warbird Bill for a rebuilt German Vac advance distributor.
_________________
Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper.

[SGKent]

Points or electronic ignition? You indicated you went back and forth, the clocking is different between types of ignition so pick one and let's trouble shoot that one. If you had an electronic ignition, and go to a points based ignition, be sure that the rotor is pointing to the #1 wire when the engine is at or near TDC on the firing stroke.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[Wildthings]

With the distributor cap removed can you turn the rotor by hand more than a few degrees? The rotor should turn when the engine is being cranked.

With the inlet hose removed for the top of the carburetor, using a flashlight can you see fuel being sprayed into the barrel as you operate the throttle lever?

[aeromech]

CA. That’s a big place. Care to share where you live?
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[IGuessImaBusGuy]

Thank you all for your quick replies!!!

I am in south LA county. South Bay/San Pedro/Rancho Palos Verdes.

I will go with the suggestion of focusing on one configuration and working from there. I will focus on the Pertronix coil with the Pertronix 1847A electronic ignition installed in the dizzy.

I cannot turn the rotor on the dizzy when installed. The rotor turns when engine is being cranked. BUT I FORGOT TO ADD THAT I CANNOT TURN THE ENGINE BY HAND. I could in the past, but now I need to have a wrench on the generator AND on the crankshaft pulley to manually find TDC.

Yes, fuel is being sprayed by the carb. That looks good.

I have tried starter fuel. It really seems there is no combustion.

[SGKent]

pull all 4 plugs and see how easy the engine spins. Check the oil to be sure you have some and that it is not filled with gasoline.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[IGuessImaBusGuy]

[SGKent]

[aeromech]

How loose is your belt?
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[KentABQ]

If it were my van/bus, I'd find out when Aeromech has a couple days free and take it to him.
He saved my butt a couple summers ago. He does good work.
_________________
-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM

[Wildthings]

If the engine isn't cranking easily you may not have sufficient voltage at the coil for it to create a spark. As suggested you need to get some oil into the cylinders to help them out a bit.

[OB Bus]

[IGuessImaBusGuy]

@sgkent and @wildthings; 2 weeks ago the "not quite right" alarm started going off in my head. I did oil the valves. Do you want me to remove the valves and oil the pistons? Could this possibly be a broken piston/arm? I have assumed "No" because I can still crank the engine by hand and if it were the above mentioned problems it would not crank at all.
I believe it is on the #4 plug where the resistance is worst. Does that make any difference?

@Aeromech: The belt is snug but there is a bit of play when pushing with my finger on the side. Before pulling the engine I fiddled with the generator shims. I noted which and how many shims were used in the original config and have returned to that setup. (FYI there were/are 2 shims between the generator pulley plates.)

@wildthings: my original assumption (once I got my head screwed on straight) was combustion not being strong enough to start the engine. However, I am detecting no power from the coil or dizzy. 2 weeks ago I did register RPMs on plug wire #2. Since reinstalling the engine I register power going to the coil. but nothing coming out. I have replaced the coil with no differences.

@OB_Bus. I do have the premium AAA with the 100 mile tow. (best money I've ever spent). But I'm a 45 year old single dad to 2 kids, working 2 jobs, living with my parents and declaring bankruptcy. (Divorce F-ing SUCKS). Ironically, I've been a licensed CA attorney for 15 years. But I'm too honest to be a wealthy one (especially after the ex was done cleaning my bones). haha

If anyone wants pictures, a short video of the bus turning over, whatever I'm sure I have already taken them and they're ready to post.

[aeromech]

I’d love to see videos or pics of your engine

[email protected]
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[SGKent]

"oil the valves?" what exactly is that?
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[IGuessImaBusGuy]

[Wildthings]

[larryducas]

that happened to me, and it was the pertronix coil that failed. It was open.

measure across the 2 posts of the coil (low voltage) and see if it measures about 3 ohms...
_________________
71 deluxe, 1968 type 1 engine rebuilt, 009 distributor, pertronix module, Empi 38 EPC / DGES carb

[IGuessImaBusGuy]