my 78dode american clipper won't start

have you checked the altanator?  

But the op said it would run all day then it wouldn't start again but it would start after a while. It is probably one of about 40 or 50 things wrong with the unit. I think Dode had gone to electronic ignition by 78 so the points are the only things that can be ruled out at this point. 

Managed to dig through the ancient brain cells and I believe I found a hint for you. In the days when that unit was young, gas powered vehicles would suffer from something called "vapor lock" that was the result of hot spots in the fuel lines. Ask your chat buddy about it.

will unfortunately for me I don't have much experience with engines so Im still learning. I'm not to into doing things wit AI but I don't have sum1 sitting here showing me or telling me what they know or how to properly do things either. and I can't afford a mechanic so the best way I can figure is to just figure it out myself the best I can. people make mistakes were not all professionals. with that being said....... I switched the carburetor out and not even thinking I took the gasket off put it on the new 1 put it back together and turned on my engine it started and died so I switched on the fuel started it again and it pretty much started coming from every hole in the carburetor. I turned it off and haven't touched it after that so I'm planning on going to get a rebuild kit today sum time and do it rite and not short cut it

it has its days when it runs fine and then by the end of the day it's not wanting to turn on again the first time we found out the electric choke wasn't even plugged in so that was probably big thing while it wasn't starting so we plugged that in and now I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the fuel lines so the next project is to get new fuel line and clean the tank out clean filters the carburetor and see what happens after that

okay so I don't really know exactly what I'm talking about I can only tell you what me and a friend of mine have done to it so far I'm kind of learning as I'm going so far we've changed the coil we've changed the starter put in a new one batteries put a new one the gas filter change them but there's a canister underneath by the second filter that is leaking now so obviously I'm probably going to have to replace that too right or is there something I can do to patch it or something? when I go to turn it on it acts like it wants to turn over but it doesn't I put gas the gas when I put it in starts to overflow so I know that there's a clogged line somewhere like you said I probably just need to drop the whole tank and clean it out which I'm not exactly too sure on how to do that either is it like a special cleaner or something or like I mean any pointers would be great cuz I have no idea what I'm doing and I realize I'm going to end up putting a lot of money into this RV this project it's my home for now and I know it's going to be a rough road to go down but I'm pretty confident that I can get going and it does eventually work good I guess

Now the Dode and their phone won’t start.  

Sorry to say but I would guess that with no automotive experience you are going to need a fat wallet to make that thing function. There are so many things that can and will happen to a 48 year old motor that has been sitting for nine years. Every seal, gasket and hose are suspect at this point. As noted before, the fuel filter and fuel lines are probably filled with varnish and need to be replaced along with a rebuild for the carb. Let us know how it is progressing.

And fuel wasnt really designed to sit around for 10 years. You will probably have to drain and flush out the fuel tank and lines, change the fuel filter, clean out the carburetor

Unfortunate but you’ve given virtually no relevant info. 
it’s an old car. Air, fuel, spark. Gotta have all 3. Find out which one is missing.