Mrmerlin

Nate, please follow these instructions,
pull the plugs and heat them with a torch,

NOTE this will burn off the deposits that are in the plug so it will have half a chance of firing on your next start attempt.

spin the engine over a few times with fuel pump fuse pulled. and the plugs out to clear the cylinders

Take a look at the coil wire end,
you should be able to use the new coil wires on the original coil.
Otherwise the wire ends can be unscrewed ,

NOTE before installing the plugs put a few onto the wires and ground the electrodes,
verify that you have spark before installing.

To swap the wire ends,
slide a flat blade into the boot,
spray with WD40 or silicone
then unscrew it.

NoVector

Have you tried your inductive timing light on a coil wire AND plug wire to see if you're getting anything? Personally I'd exhaust that before digging into coils, etc.

I screwed for quite a while with a no start a couple years ago. In the end it was weak battery and flooded engine. I bought a new battery and did the "foot to the floor and crank" for 10 seconds. Fired right up. But Stan's idea sounds better - except for removing all the plugs. That would suck!

GT6ixer

Looks like there is some consensus on pulling the FP relay. Makes sense to me since the engine is already flooded.

Oh if I get this thing to start I will jump like a jack rabbit. Should be free to do so since my wife is the key turner

GT6ixer

The new coil wire fits on the old coil just the same as the new coil, that being not very snug. The metal post portion looks identical but the boots are different. Something with the new wire's boot that makes it want to push off the tapered shroud of the coil port where the original design just seems to stay sucked to it.

Will do on all the other suggestions. Thanks again.

GT6ixer

I have not tried that yet. On the list for tonight.

Yeah removing the plugs will not be fun. But they need to come out so I just have to grin and bear it.

Guy

oh the suspense is killing me! Good luck. Would be fantastic if it was simply flooded.

Kiwi'79

Same here!!!! If it's not resolved quickly I am in danger of getting into the booze again... not ideal as it is breakfast time here at the moment...come on Nate!!!

hwyengr

Is the '84 fuel pump fused as well? It is on the '85, and it seemed less risky to pull the fuse than the relay.

GT6ixer

Ahh man, when Seth pointed out that the coil leads were reversed I ran out into the garage at 1:30 in the morning here, 74% convinced that it was going to start up and I would walk out of the garage a triumphant electron slayer. But then it didn't. And then I read about how susceptible these motors are to flooding. So back at it again tonight.

It is. However I remember reading a post by Alan recommending to avoid pulling fuses as much as possible due to the potential to weaken the holding tangs. Plus I have had the fuel pump relay out for most of this and have been using a jumper with a switch.

supercedar

I'm happy to come down this weekend or Thursday/Friday evening and give a hand. Just text me.
Thomas

pokegama

Does your car have the factory security system? My 81 will just crank and not start if the door locks are out of sync. The solution for me was to have all the doors and hatch shut and then use the key to lock and then unlock each lock. That resets the security system.

docmirror

Did you get spark?

We want an update.

GT6ixer

Wife works nights on Wednesday. I'm Mr. Moming it right now. Just finished making the boy Mac N Cheese. Dad's eating some fried rice. Will put the boy to bed in a few then jump into the garage. Updated to follow.

GT6ixer

Thanks a lot Thomas. I'll shoot you a text.

GT6ixer

You know I actually don't know. There is definitely no aftermarket one AFAIK. Just did some quick thread research and it appears that situation you mentioned is not uncommon. Hmmm... curiouser and curiouser.