Chrysler Repair: 80 LeBoron, chrysler engines, diagnostic capability

Question
I have a 1980 LeBoron and started having problems for about 2 days. One day I was trying to start my car and it would not start. It sounded like it wanted to turn over but could not. When I returned home I tried and started without any problems. The next day it started without any problems. Today when I wanted to drive to work it started and I was able to drive it 1 block before it stalled on me. I am not able to start it again after that. I had the oil change done a month or so ago and every thing seem fine with diagnostics. Do you have an idea of what may going on with my car? (There was no code.) Something I could have a friend do without taking it to a repair shop? Please help.  

Answer
Hi Lori-Ane,
I may be able to give you some advice but I need to get a little more information. You say "There was no code". My manuals tell me that in 1980 the Chrysler engines didn't have on-board diagnostic capability so there shouldn't be any flashing of the check engine light when you use your ignition key to get the code readout. So we have to go to basics for this problem.
I need to know which engine is in your car (number of cylinders, displacement if it is given). So tell me that when you write back.
The first questions to answer are do you have spark and is fuel getting to the carburetor. To test for spark, remove a cap from one of the spark plugs by holding on to the connector cap and pulling on it (don't pull on the wire). Then use a screwdriver (a philips head is better than a flat blade tip) with a plastic handle to probe inside the cap so that the tip touches the internal wire deep inside which normally touches the tip of the spark plug. Then hold the screwdriver by its plastic handle in one hand and the cap in the other hand so that you maitain the connection between the internal wire and the tip of the screwdriver. Move the assembly to be within 1/4 inch of a main metal part of the engine such as the cylinder head. Have a helper then try to start the car while you hold that position of 1/4" distance and observe whether during the cranking a spark jumps between the shaft of the screwdriver and the engine metal surface. Let me know that test result.
On the fuel side, remove the air cleaner from the carburetor and look down inside for the throttle valve plate which is what moves when you step on the gas; again ask the helper to step on the gas. There is likely to be a plate on a shaft at the top of the carburetor throat that you will need to rotate in order to get a view below it of the throttle valve plate (that top plate is for the choke function). So once you can look down at the lower plate, and with the aid of a flashlight, ask the helper to step on the gas while you observe for signs of gasoline to be squirted into the throat. Let me know the results of that test too.
Roland