I've exhausted my limited knowledge. I've done searches, but none seem to duplicate my problem.

Does not want to start or even fire at all most of the time
Spark is weak (not blue), but present.
When it does start, with a lot of cranking and holding the gas pedal to the floor, it runs very rough, will not idle, blows black smoke. (Rich mixture?)
New plugs black and sooty (dry) (Rich mixture?)
I don't think it is actually a fuel problem. I'm leaning towards ignition.
Cap/wires/coil 2 years old.
Ignition control unit has been changed out with a known good unit.
All grounds cleaned.
The distributor is the original M28/11 distributor.
I have tried adjusting the fuel distributor and make no difference.
I have changed every item in the fuel system over the last 2 years, and I mean EVERY item.
Discussion, please.

 

Have your coil tested?

 

Have you ever changed the 'green wire' that come off the distributor?

 

You pay the postage.......
Actually, I'm going through the ignition testing procedures on page 28-11 WSM.

 

How are these items?

Injector & fuel pump relays
Green wire
Big vac leak
Alarm / bypass
Coil resistors (2) just before coil

 

Randy, The green wire was replaced when they were just $60.00. Not that long ago. 2 years?

 

Please excuse my limited knowledge of 79s but what ECU does this car have? I had a similar issue and it turned out to be my ECU was fried, but that was in an 87.

 

fuel pump relays-New
Green wire < 2years
Alarm / bypass -NO alarm
Coil resistors (2) just before coil- Unknown originals to the 79- will check.

 

An injector feed wire grounding-out, which takes-out others with it.

Smaller red wire on positive bat terminal that feeds the brain not getting good power due to corrosion.

 

Transistorized Ignition (control unit)- replaced with new unit. I swapped out with the old one-no change.

 

Mechanical injectors 2 years old

 

Wedge-open air valve ( if big vac leak, then not enough suction makes it to the air valve to overcome the spring)

(Just firing-out things I've dealt with, hoping I don't make it too twisted for Allen or Merlin who will soon come in here and apply real logic and help you, as they have many of us!!!!)

 

WAG: Maybe the fuel pump/connections, and/or wires to it have cracked insulation?

 

Don't flame me guys, but i squirted some starter fluid into the lower plenum through the plate( I know, I know).........nothing, just the engine turning over, no attempt to fire.

 

Timing way-off.

Rotor on wrong.