Hello All:

Wow, I am humbled by the generous help and numerous responses. Thank you all so much for taking the time. You have all read the wash and no start scenario. Keep in mind that there was a rough-running condition just prior to a cold-snap that is now keeping the car from starting at all. Here is a rundown of what has been tried, in chronological order:

* Battery replaced earlier this week.

* 1/2 tank of gas (a bit less now).

* We tried jumping it off a friend's car, no change. The engine is turning over but simply not catching.

* I sprayed starting fluid into the air filters.

* I poured dry gas into the gas tank, about half a container worth since I only had half a tank at the time.

* I changed all four spark plugs. The ones that came out looked like they had been pulled from a chocolate cake. AH-HA! I can hear you all saying it.

* I checked the voltage of the battery after all of this; it is reading 11.91V.

* At a friend's suggestion I opened up the two black screw-tops on the carbs.

After each of the above procedures the engine sounded exactly the same, no change in condition whatsoever. The engine is turning over but simply not catching with the occasional backfire, particularly if I add throttle. The ambient temperature is in the 20's Fahrenheit again today. I am praying for warmer weather in the next few days.

I am very new to all of this as you have all figured out but I am particularly new to the black science of carburetors. I am fortunate enough to have a thorough 122 manual for reference so I am willing to learn and I understand the BASICS of how the carburetors works but I am learning about the different circuits and how they are manipulated. Ron's "1/4" of jet lowering" suggestion, for example, sounds sage and I am going to study the manual tonight to try and figure out how the hell I do that.

Thanks again everyone.

Cheers,

Jeff Pucillo