motor turns but wont start

[shanebo]

  All right...I just had my rescently acquired 86 started the other day. I went to start it again today and the thing turns over but acts like its not getting spark. The guy I got it from said there is a loose vaccum hose that pops off from time to time and if its off or loose the thing will not start....but ill be darned if I can remember which hose it was...im thought it had somthing to do with the carb...but I would have thought it would still atleast start momentarily with starting fluid...which is leading me to think there is no spark.....I am at such a loss with this vaccum stuff...Im hoping its an easy fix
While turning it over I could have sworn I saw smoke come out from the center plug of this...(what ever ya call it)

[Eagleearl]

Those three are the vaccum solenoid's that are computer controlled and are for the pulse air to the catalytic converter and the sol-vac idle control (closest to the air cleaner). If the engine will not start with starting fluid, I would think it has to be a no spark problem unless you have the distributor timing way off.

[JayRamb]

Try behind the air breather, on the intake manifold, near the firewall.

[jim]

I sometimes have a problem with the hose coming off the "y" fitting on the manifold.

[shanebo]

Where does that hose from the Y-fitting go to? Ill have to check that...thanks jim

Im really affraid this problem may be electrical....some of the wires look a little rough but its hard to tell if they a fraid or bare with an inch of oil caked on them. ...I may have to just take a day and follow all the wires having to do with the ignition system....ill have to try messing around with the distributor too....The guy I bought it from had taken the alternator out so Im also trying to think of somthing that he may have disconnected in the process that could cause this..

[ammachine390]

Just so you know, on the 3 wire harness going into the distributor, the black wire is the ignition system ground. I believe it is just screwed to the engine or distributor base. If this wire gets corroded, the system will not make spark.

[shanebo]

Thanx ammachine...I am going to go check that 1st thing tomorrow before work....It would be great if it is something that simple. Ill find out in the morning....theres only so much this can be.

another question that just popped into my head...Is there any vaccum lines on these cars that are so critical they would prevent it from firing with a carb full of ethre.

[Eagleearl]

If the intake manifold has starting fluid in it the engine should fire without vaccum.

[shanebo]

Thats what I was affraid of....looks more and more like an electrical issue....I guess the first course of action is to go hook up the tester and work from there