Good Morning,
My name is Chris and I’m new to your forum. Over the past eight months I’ve been doing a frame off restoration of a ’51 CJ3A (serial 451-GB1 23480) with the help of the forum as a reference. I’ve now re-assembled the Willys and am having a problem with reliably starting the engine. The starter is cranking but the engine but it’s just not starting. Once finally started, the engine runs fine with good power and acceleration.

Engine: Re-built L-134 (Compression in cylinders ranges between 100 and 110)
Fuel Pump: Facet Posi-Flo EFP-3 (Generating 2 psi of fuel pressure)
Carburetor: Solex 32PBIC single barrel downdraft
Starter: 6V Foot actuated pinion gear
Distributor: Omix 12V Solid State (Kaiser Willys 923068)
Coil: Standard Motor Products UC15T (Resistance checks OK across primary and secondary coils)
Ignition cables: New 7mm High Temperature
Alternator: Delco 12V 3 Wire – I have only used the charging wire in my Willy at this time

In an effort to diagnose the strength of my spark I pulled the #1 plug this evening and grounded it against a head bolt to view the spark color. As I did this, the engine started immediately…3 times with very little cranking (on 3 cylinders?!). When I re-inserted, torqued and reconnected the #1 plug in the head The engine refused to start again.
I’m stumped and would appreciate any suggestions you all may have.

Chris in Spring Hill, TN