u/Jorsephjbour

Was just about to go on a walk with my dog and spotted a tropical bird skipping around my driveway. I live in Portland, OR--so, that was immediately out of any sort of norm. I got the crows to buzz off that were definitely harassing the little fella, then gently relocated the beautiful peach-faced lovebird in a spare critter keeper I use for herpetology. He took to the water I provided and was definitely in a state of shock from what had likely been a very eventful day . . .

I'm scrambling to get something with more air flow, and upon returning with a proper cage, I see he is still increasingly lethargic. I place him a small box, with a heating pad set to low beneath it with a towel gently covering part of the box flaps. Within an hour from that point, he passed away . . . I barely got to know the little fella, but my heart is broken . . . I really just hope I didn't do anything wrong during his time of need . . . Thanks for reading and much love to this community.

Federal spec, 4WD, manual. Redline K746 Weber 32/36 DGEV, GM HEI ignition module conversion (external coil, Standard Motor Products UC15), Edelbrock micro electric pump wired to switched 12V, mechanical fuel pump inline, new Holley 12-804 fuel pressure regulator.

Background: Truck was running, idling at 750-800 RPM, timing set to 8° BTDC. Took it for a short test drive. Came back, engine wouldn't stay running. Discovered the fuel pressure regulator had failed (diaphragm blown, fuel gushing freely with no regulation). Fuel filter was also clogged from debris. Replaced both. Engine would sputter and catch briefly but die within 30 seconds to a minute.

During troubleshooting, found spark plugs fouled black from the flooding event when the regulator failed and sent full pump pressure through the carb. Swapped to new NGK BPR5EY plugs. Engine went from "catches briefly" to "won't start at all." Put old plugs back in — also won't start now.

What I've confirmed:

- Spark present on all plugs (grounded to block, tested individually)

- Fuel pressure at 3 PSI with key ON

- Electric pump running (audible buzz)

- 12V at ignition coil positive terminal

- HEI module ground continuity confirmed

- Coil wire continuity: 6.6 ohms

- Pickup coil resistance: 163.8 ohms (spec ~156)

- Coil primary resistance: 3.5 ohms

- Coil secondary resistance: 8.53k ohms

- Distributor hold-down bolt tight

- Timing was set to 8° BTDC before all this started

- Plug gap at 0.85mm (~0.033"), close to spec 0.031"

- Tried WOT crank to clear potential flooding — no start

- Firing order confirmed 1-3-4-2

What changed right before it stopped starting:

- Cleaned carbon deposits from spark plug wells with brake cleaner and compressed air

- Some debris may have fallen into cylinders during cleaning

- Plug wires have been pulled on and off many times during troubleshooting

- Swapped between old and new plugs multiple times

The puzzle: Every individual component tests good. Spark is confirmed in open air. Fuel pressure holds. Yet the engine won't fire at all — not even a catch or sputter anymore. It went from running and driving, to sputtering and dying, to completely dead during the plug swap process.

What am I overlooking? Open to any ideas.