Here's what's going on 1972 Dart with a 360 foot brake bracket car. I drove it up and down the road a few times. Shut it off went to start it again and all it does is make a clicking sound and rolls over a little bit. My electric water pump,fuel pump and fan and parking lights all come on and are bright. It also happened to me the other night then out of the blue it fired up. Any idea's?

Battery up front or in the back?

What is the base ignition timing at?

What is the voltage at the battery when cranking?

With the key off what happens when you jump the starter relay?

Battery is up front
I don't have a tester not sure of volts
When I laid a screw driver across the starter relay. It rolled alittle bit and then snapped and clicked.

Make sure you have a good ground from the battery to the block and all the connections are good.

Take a metal pipe from above and rap the starter a couple times don't let it touch the wires.

Try jumping the relay again.

If it turns the brushes are worn out on the starter and either it needs to be rebuilt or replaced.

If that don't work have the battery load tested.

Also make sure your battery is good and charged. My voltage regulator started dying on me and I didn't notice anything on my gauge. It would randomly not turn over just like you describe. After doing a new voltage regulator my problem was cured.

Agree the first check is the grounds. Make sure there is a heavy ground to the block and clean the connections. Also clean the + and - battery connections and + connection at the starter and fender relay.

If that doesn't clear it up it could be a weak starter, battery alternator or voltgage regulator.

Autozone and some of the other chain parts stores will run a free electrical system test in their parking lot. If there is a problem with the alternator, VR or battery it will probably show up. That would help diagnose and narrow it down.

I have a extra voltage regulator from a slant. Would this be the same as one used for a small block?

test battery first.

when it does run you can put a volt meter on the battery and see what it's charging at...14.5 is good...try jumping it when it acts up also...I agree with others about a good ground in the system...good luck

Don't forget the neutral safety switch on the trans. Make sure the 3 prong plug is not loose.

Well I changed the voltage regulator no difference.
Then I ran a hot wire from the positive terminal on the battery to the small terminal on the starter and it started the clicking and snapping like before. I also paid attention to my dash/gage lights and they dimmed and pulsed in time with the clicking coming from the starter.

Since you have not tested the battery what happens when you swap it with a know good one or just jump it with another? When jumping the battery use the block for ground.

Amperage is what turns a starter and not much is needed to keep the head lights brite a sub par battery will power headlight and yet will not turn a motor over. Again check all connections starter too.