So I put the key in, turn it, the starter spins, but the engine doesn't fire. Just replaced the spark plugs, distributer cap, rotor, and wires a week ago. Engine is a 250cid I6. Any insight?

 

It takes 3 things for an engine to fire: spark, fuel and compression. Pull the cap off the distributor and crank the engine and make sure the rotor is turning. Check for spark (use the search tool to research various ways of doing that - the way I do it isn't the world's safest). Pull off the air cleaner and look down the throat of the carburetor and pull the throttle and make sure the accelerator pump shoots gas onto the venturi. Those will eliminate some basics. You might want to check you seated your coil plug wire properly too since you recently changed that.

 

With starter stuff you need to be exceptionally specific in your diagnosis. That isn't a criticism at all, it's just that with starters, the more specific you are, the faster the diagnosis. Did the engine crank and just not start? Or did the starter turn over but didn't spin the engine?

If you think its the starter, if its anything like a 300 I6 (I only say that because it's what I have), you can seriously get the starter off in about 5 minutes or less (unless you have headers). Take it down and have it bench tested for free at a parts store. There should be two bolts holding it on and I think one of them holds the ground to it. If not, then there's a third bolt for the ground. All three are wide out in the open and make for easy removal. Just be careful because starters are a lot heavier than they look and the last thing you want is one clunking down on your nose.

 

The starter usually grounds to the bellhousing through its casing via the mounting bolts. He already said the starter is turning, just the engine isn't firing so I'd imagine the starter is fine.

 

Turns out, it was the starter. A bit of the metal housing became gnarled and messed up the guttyworks, so the starter would spin but not engage. Two bolts and $50 later, I'm up and running. thanks for the guidance.

 

Love those starters. Easy to remove/install, and comparatively inexpensive.

 

Hey glad to hear it!