Car shut off and won't start

[BlueDjinn]

Please pardon my intrusion. 74 Catalina? Nice car. If I'm not mistaken the ignition systems of the GM's
were modernized to HEI systems beginning in 1974, which eliminated the points and condenser style.
I know from experience that the ignition module that replaces the points/condenser can and does
eventually fail in a couple of ways. The car will run terribly if it runs at all; or after having shut the car off it
will simply refuse to start again until the module is replaced. These modules are heat sensitive and must
be installed with a layer of dilectric grease which is often supplied with the new replacement module. It is
also my experience that the only modules to use are the authentic GM replacement parts and not the
offshore garbage as the counterfeit modules do not have the correct ignition dwell for optimum performance.
If the ignition system in the Catalina is indeed an HEI unit and the ignition module has not been changed;
that is where I would be looking for your problem. They're not overly expensive or too difficult to change and
you will find it right under the distributor rotor button, held down with a couple of small screws. I hope that
this helps.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by BlueDjinn

If I'm not mistaken the ignition systems of the GM's
were modernized to HEI systems beginning in 1974, which eliminated the points and condenser style..

The original poster has started several threads on this particular car here at AF. It was established elsewhere that the car has a points-style ignition.

But I can understand your assumption. This particular thread only gives a clue to that when the OP says the HEI plug wires were the wrong ones.

FWIW, GM did not universally adopt HEI systems until mid-1974 (for the 1975 model-year)

[moliva1568]

it's a points distributor. it was an early
74. to update my last post, it doesn't look like gas shooting up now. nothing is wet but it does look like a burst of air or vapor and when i look at the carb afterward there is like white smoke that is going away. i didn't change the points and condensor. i guess that's would be the next thing to try?
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[BlueDjinn]

Okay, now that I've actually had the time to read the entire thread and it has been established beyond
any doubt that the distributor in the Catalina is a points style, I would definitely recommend servicing the
ignition points and condenser (capacitor) by replacing them. There are probably shops now with "technicians"
working in them that have never even seen ignition points and they don't necessarily know any more
about them than you do and they might not have an old dwell/tach meter either. If you want to replace them
yourself I wouldn't let the job intimidate you. If you can't aquire a dwell/tach meter get a feeler gauge that
measures in thousandths. I personally have used a .017" or seventeen-thousandths of an inch feeler gauge
on the initial adjustment of new single ignition-points installation with excellent results. The rubbing block
of the new points should be set to this measurement on the high side of the points-cam lobe of the distributor.
This is achieved by loosening the distributor and rotating it to bring the high point of the points-cam lobe right
under the rubbing block of the points-set with the .017" feeler gauge between the points. Then lock the base
of the points-set into this position with the set-screw. You might have to do this a couple of times to get
it right but once you have confirmed the points-gap rotate the distributor back to exactly where it was and
don't forget to lock it there.
The ignition points should now close completely and then open seventeen thousandths of an inch as they
ride the points-cam. This is not a number that I pulled out of the ether either. Many times; and more often
than not; I've found myself in a situation where I've had to address the ignition points without a dwell meter
and the feeler gauge was my only reference. I've used .017" on Chev, Olds and Pontiac and on Dodge
as an initial points setting and have not had to disturb it from there. The engines performed acceptably.
I am visualizing from your information that the ignition points in your car's distributor are probably barely past
being able to open at all and I've seen it many times. Oh, while I'm thinking of it; I don't know if your car has a
radio in it; but if you're listening to the radio with the engine not running, make sure that you have turned the
ignition key back into the accessory lock position. If you are listening to the radio with the ignition key in the
engine run position "you will fry the ignition-points" requiring that they be replaced with new ones again.
I hope that this helps.