CUTLASS Project now won’t start

[Rhinoish]

thanks for the replies guys... I think the majority of the backfire was caused by the weak starter and almost dead battery which now wont even take a charge... I added probably way too much fuel to the carb. I do not have a spare and the closest junk yard (which doesn't keep older cars) is over 500 miles (700 kms) away. I will change the battery, carb fuel filter and the oil and see if its better. At the same time, check a couple plugs, see if the distributor is bolted down and check vacuum lines going to the carb. I know the valve covers leak oil bad. I'm still contemplating whether I'm going to just run this engine will the body work and suspension work is done and then make it go fast lol.

 

[Rhinoish]

also the carb is a quadrajet.. The stamping part number says its from an 86 camaro or c10 truck

 

[Onestopshop23]

Well hello from the almost arctic region of Canada. I’ve been lurking on this site for the last couple months while recovering and thought I would pick the forums brain so to speak. So let me give you some back ground. I’m a pretty handy guy, work at a dealership but with mostly young techs, I can do most mechanical work myself but when it comes to a carburetor..I have no clue.. In my quest for a new project, I purchased a 84 Cutlass Supreme brougham (that was sitting for several years) with according to the PO had an engine swap. He wasn’t sure with what year the engine came out of but that it’s a 305. Springs and shocks were broken on the right side so I had it towed home. The PO did have it running when I arrived to prove it ran, but said oh the battery is old and will need to be changed. So I drove it on to the flat bed tow truck and off into my garage so it does move. Ordered a bunch of parts for it. Drove it out of the garage while I fixed my daily which ended up waiting a week to get the parts. Go to put it back in the garage cranks but won’t fire.... so I pour some gas in the carb, put the container down... hold open the throttle plates while the wife cranks it over and then boom it backfires and shoots a fireball out of the carb while catching me on fire. I received second degree burns to my right arm & chest, burnt my facial hair clean off, glasses etc... fast forward to now 3 months later, with limited use of my right hand I’m itching to get back out to the garage... now the car will crank and crank but not fire. The car came showing less then 1/4 tank (yes I know old fuel). I’ve let it run in the garage before the fire idling for about 30 mins or so... have added a couple jerry cans to it of premium. I want to eventually drop an LS or a 350 in it so rebuilding the carb or replacing it seems like a waste of money but I want to if needed be able to move it in and out of my garage. Now the carb was partially on fire while the fuel burnt out of it. Haven’t checked anything as I really don’t know where to start.... so I’m looking for ideas... where would you start?

 

[Onestopshop23]

thanks for the replies guys... I think the majority of the backfire was caused by the weak starter and almost dead battery which now wont even take a charge... I added probably way too much fuel to the carb. I do not have a spare and the closest junk yard (which doesn't keep older cars) is over 500 miles (700 kms) away. I will change the battery, carb fuel filter and the oil and see if its better. At the same time, check a couple plugs, see if the distributor is bolted down and check vacuum lines going to the carb. I know the valve covers leak oil bad. I'm still contemplating whether I'm going to just run this engine will the body work and suspension work is done and then make it go fast lol.

I would start with ignition module To see if it’s firing if so I’d move on to the coil if not that I would check the timing and fuel pump making sure it’s pumping