Toyota Repair: Car wont start, vacuum leak, toyota corolla

Question
Hi Ted,
I own a 87' Toyota Corolla,4 cyl.,1.6 carbureted.
It did run good,then ran poorly and now it turns over but won't start.
But when it did run a vacuum leak could be heard somewhere in or near the carburetor.
I am sure it is getting both spark and fuel.
It is possible the carburetor gasket is bad because the area under the carburetor is wet with fuel.But I have not taken the carb off yet to check it.
If the carb gasket is bad could this be the reason the car won't start?If not what else could it be?
Thanks for your help.

Answer
It sounds like it may be a fuel pump or fuel filter problem, try replacing the fuel pump and the filter, a leaking gasket on the carburetor base may cause the engine to run bad but it won't keep it from starting. If you are sure that the engine is getting fuel and spark the timing belt may have slipped or possibly broken.