So I was trying to get my 73 cuda 318 starter and the fuel pump was not working. To get it to run, I sprayed starter fluid into the carb and ran the car for about 45 seconds. Now the car wont start. Did I cause damage?

 

Does it still turn over? if so, try gas instead of starting fluid. Fix the fuel pump issue.
The starting fluid may have caused it to jump the timing. If it turns over, put a timing light on it to see if it's off.

 

I don't understand how starting fluid will cause the timing to change.

However, if you actually "ran the engine" on starting fluid for nearly a minute, you may have caused the rings to dry out (no oil). I'd squirt a little oil in the plug holes and crank it over a couple of times.

I can't think why else starting fluid would ACTUALLY cause this situation. I would not think it would do something like cook the plugs, but have you looked at the plugs?

What does the spark look like?

More important, why did you do this, instead of using gasoline?

 

I did it because I did not know it would cause damage . I pulled a plug and it is dark black and very dry/ashy. I will change the plugs and try again. Anything I should while they are out or before I change them?

 

OK. As I mentioned, I'd squirt a little oil into the cylinders and crank the engine over. If you have a "pump oiler" just a couple of pumps into each.