1979 spider 2000 will not start

[Kev659]

just bought a 79 spider and the engine turns over but it does not start. the previous owner had it started last fll and it ran for a short bit then stopped. I have a list of things i am doing for preventitive maintaince. here is my list. anything else i should check or replace before attempting a start?

wires
plugs
oil
oil filter
fuel filter
battery
ignition coil
distributor cap
fuel
air filter

I think thats it for now on the "PM" side of things. What else should i check?

[mbouse]

hey, Kev. Welcome to the site. please stop up to the introduction section and tell us a little more about yourself and your car. pictures are always welcome too (of the car...)

non start... gotta have more symptoms.

turns over--fast enough ? put the battery on a charger and/or substitute a known good battery from your every day car
ran for a short bit-- how long is a short bit. Five seconds or five minutes?

yes, change the fuel filter. also check the filter sock on the sender unit in the fuel tank. Did you change the fuel? is this fresh fuel or 6 year old stuff?

you're gonna wanna change plugs and wires eventually. doing it now won't hurt. D'ya know how to check for spark? i'd not change the coil until i knew the existing coil was not functioning. what does the cap and rotor look like on the inside?

removing the air filter will allow you to look into the top of the carburetor... but it won't stop or start the car by its presence or absense.

would be nice to know that there is sufficent oil in the crankcase.... but the absense of clean oil and a fresh filter will have little affect on starting/running. for under $20 you should be able to put this item to rest in your mind. G'head and change the oil and filter; won't hurt.

gotta timing light? once you get this engine running, you are gonna wanna check the timing.

[Kev659]

Thanks for the welcome, ill be working on the car next week after all the snow cleanup here in philly then ill post some pics. It ran for about 3 min then shut down according to the previous owner. I am changing out the fuel since i dont know the last time fresh fuel was put in the car. Ill be able to answer the rest of your questions next week. I got a brand new battery to put in the car since the orginal battery is 6 years old. i am definatly putting fresh oil and a new filter in the car befoore i try cranking it over. i think it may be dirty contacts but again ill know better next week when i have a chance to play around with it. Ill keep you up to date.

[Mathew26]

If you don't have spark in a 79. You probably need either a pick up coil or control module. I had the same problem once.

[So Cal Mark]

as long as you're changing fuel and filters, look closely at the integrity of the fuel hoses. Cracked hoses on the inlet side of the pump and at the tank will cause the fuel pump to suck air instead of fuel.

[spidernut]

If it turns over and is getting fuel, take off the distributor cap and look at the wire on the magnetic pickup. They're notorious for breaking and you'll get no spark at all if it is broken.

[Kev659]

Its running strong now. got a few more things on my liist to do but the project is progressing

[2ndwind]

must have been the oil change, eh?

[Kev659]

There was no spark at all once i replaced the coil and wires it worked fine. Now i am working on restoring the rest of the car