'79 CJ5 wont start

[Wrangled13]

Ok, so it's a '79 CJ5 with a AMC 304 and MC2001 carb. Fresh rebuilt on everything. All new gaskets were used in the rebuild. Last Thursday we had it running (very high revving and wouldn't "idle"). Last night I went to try to get it running and couldn't get it to fire at all. I have good spark and fuel, have everything TDC (#1 lines up with mark and distributor).

When I crank I can smell fuel (and double checked that I am getting spark). Made sure the distributor isnt 180 off. getting nothing in the way of firing. Pulled #1 plug and its dry. Pulled one on passenger side and seemed like it might have oil on it, but it wasnt pooling in the cylinder or anything. not sure how the head gasket could be blown or anything. heads and block were machined to match when the engine was rebuilt by the shop.

At this point I am beyond frustrated with this thing as everything has been done correctly (to my knowledge, obviously I am nowhere near perfect) but it would fire and ran last week and wont now.

Any input or thoughts would be great!

Thanks in advance

 

[Torxhead]

I think you need to do some more research on that like checking all the spark plug deposits, air fuel mixture, and ignition timing.

 

[hdgapeach]

Wouldn't idle but would run at high rpm........
Sounds like a massive vacuum leak to me. Last time this happened to me was when I forgot to tighten down the carb to the intake.
Check all the easy stuff first; all carb / intake nuts and bolts, vacuum hoses, carb base gasket, intake gasket, etc.

 

[Hedgehog]

Sounds like you checked everything and everything is perfect. Engines need two things to run, gas and spark, but it couldn't be any of those things so here is my theory ..... have you ever seen the old Star Trek show where Spock is on trial for taking Captain Pike to a forbidden alien planet and there's this beautiful girl there with big headed aliens living underground? In the story they try to blow a hole in a mountain, but get no where. In the end they actually did blow a big hole but the aliens had control of their minds so they couldn't see the hole................ I think the aliens have control and your jeep actually is running, but they don't want you to know it ........ yeah, they don't want you to know ......... aaannnnndddd I digress.

Seriously, there must be something wrong. Are you getting spark? Hold the spark plug in your hand, grab onto something grounded and turn the....... No that would be bad, put the plug on something grounded and turn the engine over. Do you see a spark? If so, put the plug back in and shoot some starting fluid in the carb or do as you see on the hor rod shows and pour a little gas in the carb. See if it will start. ........... Is your jeep out of gas? There are lots of things you can do and I'm sure someone more helpfull will come along to help.... good luck.