380 sel won't start
 

sorry to repost but I need some answers before the end of the day......

I am going to look at an '83 today that supposedly has electrical problems. The guy said the car just shut off on him and wouldn't restart. I plan on trying to turn the motor over and look at the cam through the valve cover to see if it is spinning.
The tension rails could have broke and the chain could have jumped a tooth, right? So this means the cam would still spin as you try to start the car.

Would a compression test be more definative?

What should I do to rule out timing chains without taking anything apart. The car is still in the guys driveway and my tools I have with me are limited.

Thanks,
Paul
__________________

I got the car to turn over. I could see the cam moving on the passenger side through the oil fill cap. I put a compression tester on the driver's side forward cylinder. It had over 125psi. I'm guessing the cam chains were not broken.

I got to know mine pretty well.



shoot me a PM if you need anything; I usually don't travel to the technical section.



I would replace the oiler tubes connectors that oil your cams. cheap, and is a great preventive maintenance. When they fail (and they will) you'll know by a sooty, oil smell exhaust.

Be sure to check brake/fuel line. add a little atf to your fuel if your pump whines - it'll help lube it. these fuel pumps run hot (upwards of 100psi) so and rust on the fuel lines should be treated carefully until replaced.




read as much as you can on Bosch k-jet injection. it can/will be evil at times.

I'll worry about that stuff later. I want to figure out why it won't start first.

does it have spark at the plugs and fuel at the injector lines ?