So she was running, then went under the knife for some maintenance. I changed the plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor, thermostat and cooling fan. Now when i try to start it the thing turns like its attempting to, and almost starting, but isnt getting there. I made sure everything was connected, so im guessing its the plugs...i assumed that plug 1 was closesr to yhe front bumper and went back accordingly. I then put plug 1 onto the 1 on the dist cap and so on and sso forth through 6. Did i put the wires on the dist wrong or am i missing something

 

most likely.

 

Well that wasn't it...although I tried starting it with the dist cap off and same thing. Ideas?

 

Engine will not start with the cap off, double check all leads to make sure they have solid contact at the plugs and the cap. Triple check the firing order. Lastly if everything checks out fine, check for spark at all plugs.

 

I just tried it with it off to make sure the rotor was spinning and to see if that was the problem. its back on now and everything seems connected well. any particular reason new plugs wouldn't be getting spark ?

 

double check your coil wire (one from coil to distributor) is plugged in right on both ends.
may also try swapping the old coil wire.

 

swapped the coil wire along with the plug wires. With the dist spinning(the rotor moves when I crank the engine) could it still be dist timing? Thats the only thing I can think of as I pulled it and THEN learned i need to mark crap and not yank it like its a dsm or mustang