Originally Posted by
Dr_Snooz
If you remove the cover on the cam gear, like OldBlue describes you can turn the crank and see very quickly if your timing belt has failed. If the cam gear doesn't turn with the crankshaft, then you have a failed timing belt.
Float bowls going dry kinda points to problems with the carb. The gas is either not getting to the carb, or is not staying there properly once it gets there. If you're sure it's filling when you turn on the key, but then disappearing after you turn it off, then it's only going 2 places. Either it's leaking to the outside of the carb, in which you'd smell it, or it's going down into the intake and flooding the engine. You can clear flooding by holding the gas pedal to the floor and cranking for about 10 seconds or so. Incidentally, a flooded engine will also smell like gas, but only while you're cranking.
Usually, you can rule out fuel system issues with a can of starting fluid. Crank the engine and shoot starting fluid in the carb throat. If it starts, you have a fueling issue. Be careful with starting fluid. It is a very effective oil dispersant, and too much will make your engine bearings go dry. Not good. Just use it briefly for testing, and stop if you hear clattering.
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