Hello Mr. Smith,

Thanks for allowing me to help. First off, I never recommend buying parts and hoping that they solve your problem! Lets start with a basic diagnostic tool. When it comes to electrical problems, you can’t beat the old test light. So Cal import part #000041. It is simple to use, clip the ground lead on and probe with the pointed end and watch for the light to illuminate.

First, start with the basics. Make sure you have a fully charged battery. If the car is cranking over well, that is a good enough confirmation. Next, turn the key to the run position (dash warning lights in the speedo should light), now go back to the engine. with the key on, ground the test light wire on the base of the carburetor and take the point and touch the + (positive) side of the ignition coil. The light should light. If the light doesn’t light I would go back to the ignition switch. You stated that this is a 1974, so find the wire plug coming off the bottom of the ignition switch. Look for the same color wire that goes to the + side of the ignition coil, find this wire on the ignition switch plug and prick the wire with the test light (note, if you have 3/4 short socket, put it on the tip of your finger so you don’t go through the wire and stab your finger!). If the light illuminates, the problem is somewhere in-between in the wiring. If it doesn’t light, I would look at replacing the ignition switch.

OK, back to the start, if when at the coil the test light does light, (you will need a helper) have someone crank over the engine, carefully put the test light probe on the – side of the coil. As the motor turns over the – this should cause the light to blink on and off. If it stays on or if it doesn’t light at all the electronic unit is defective.

Hopefully, you are still with me! OK, so back to the coil, if the test light is blinking at you, now turn the key off. Unplug the main coil wire going from the coil to the center of the distributor cap on the cap side. While holding only the insulated part of the wire, hold the metal tip of the unplugged side of the coil wire about a 1/4″ away from the throttle arm of the carburetor and have the other person crank the engine over. There should be a nice blue spark jump the gap. If yes, your basic ignition system is OK. If no spark, replace the ignition coil!

If you do all of this and your car will still not start, get back with me and we will move to the fuel system!

My hope is that this gives you the confidence and tools to work this out!

Always happy to help, Andy