Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1960 AMC Rambler Starting Problems, spark plug wires, amc rambler

Question
Hello.
I have a 1960 Rambler Custom with the 196 Straight 6 cylinder OHV engine.  Last week after changing a jimmy-rigged electric fuel pump out to the original Carter Mechanical fuel pump and readjusting my spark plug wires.  My car stopped running.  The engine cranks normally but will not run.  I changed the plugs, rotor, cap, coil and tried to reset the timing.  It still won't run.  Please help.  

Answer
Well, you violated the first rule of working on old cars:  Change only one thing at a time!   We'll have to go back to ground zero to figure out what is wrong, and there may be more than one thing.

First, if you removed the distributor and reinstalled it, tell me that now, because we have to start with getting that straightened out. I'll assume you did not do that, and proceed, but we're wasting our time if the distributor has been disturbed.

Next, we need to find out if your problem is lack of fuel or lack of ignition, so do this next:  Put about 2 ounces of gas down into the front section of the carburetor, put the air cleaner back on, and try to start the engine. If it starts, even briefly, we know the problem is lack of fuel.  If it doesn't, the problem is in the ignition system.

Rather than sit here all night typing, answer the distributor question for me, and tell me what happens when you put the gas in it - then I don't have to type out the whole shop manual here!

Thanks,

We'll get it running again, but it will take a few times around the mulberry bush.

Dick