motor not running / lights questions

[rabbie6]

so, my motor turns over quickly (not slowly like a dead battery, as the battery is new) but does not stay running. as soon as I let go of the key it dies; where to begin?

the plugs have spark, it is a Pertronix Ignitor under the cap, the cap was cleaned, there seems to be gas getting into the carbs as I can hear it gurgling with the air filter housing off

second: the rear side marker lights and the tiny light under the steering column are on and stay on when the battery is connected - so I have to leave the battery disconnected for now when I am not working on it so as not to drain the battery - is this a ground problem some where or a switch problem?

also, as the PO really chopped up the wiring harness; what is the consensus on possibly going to a Painless system with the fuse block in the engine bay instead of uunder the dash for easier access?

thanks
Robert

 

[MMercury]

so, my motor turns over quickly (not slowly like a dead battery, as the battery is new) but does not stay running. as soon as I let go of the key it dies; where to begin?

No guarantee, but good bet its ignition switch related.

 

[Bill Riblett]

I agree.
Some times when the ignition electrical switch is going bad, you can turn the key 'back' slightly from the start position once the engine starts and find a good contact to keep the engine running.

I don't know of any way to fix this short of replacing the switch./harness shown in the picture above.