1965 Dodge Dart GT Restoration

Good thing it turns over. If it turns over but fails to start, the problem is either ignition or fuel.

Pull a spark plug from the engine, reconnect head into boot. Take a jumper wire and connect to block and tip of spark plug. While a helper tries to start the car, see if any spark is jumping from the electrode to the tip. If you see a spark, the ignition is working. No spark, there's an ignition problem.

If you're getting spark, but still no start, try removing the air filter housing and spray starting fluid (WD-40 works, too) into the throat of the carburetor while a helper tries to start the car. If the car tries to start, then the problem is probably fuel delivery. Do not put any part of your body over the throat of the carburetor while your helper is trying to start the car. The possiblilty of a backfire exists. I learned through a painful experience, don't repeat my mistake.

Once you get the car running, bring it up to operating temperature then shut it down. Change the fluids and filters, especially if you don't know anything about the history of the car.

FSM and Parts Manual are available on CD, usually as Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files. They are good investments. I like Haynes manuals photo illustrations. However, the have critical facts wrong. Not all of them, but enough that I'm leery of relying solely on them. Haynes, for instance, perpetrate the myth that A-body UBJs are press fit, when they are, in fact, screwed in.

Good luck with your Dart. Keep a journal in the Member Restoration pages if you like.