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I have an original Pontiac 336 c.i. V-8 in my "59" that will not start. It has 126,000 K on it, new cap, rotor, wires, points, dist cap and carb overhaul. When I try and start it it sputters, spits, pops etc... but will not start. I bought it and drove it home appox 300 miles, parked it and the trouble began. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what the problem is? :confused:

Sounds like either stuck valves or bad timing. Those Pontiacs had nylon teeth on the cam gear, and those teeth got brittle and broke off after a while. First thing I'd do is take the distributor cap off and have someone crank the engine while I watch the rotor. If the rotor is jerky, then I'd suspect the cam gear. Shouldn't be too much trouble to pull the timing cover off and take a look to confirm it.

pontiacs were famous for timing gear failures, sounds like maybe this one went along with the program. make SURE you change the oil if this turns out to be the problem---gear teeth are teflon and will pit the oil pump something awful.

i would check the firing order and point gap especially if tune up parts were installed after the trip home. the timing chain could have jumped but a compression test will give you the answer right away.if compression is ok you may have to clean the plugs.