Youngvettehunter

I just tore apart and rebuilt a 350 small block from 87-96? and I reused the heads and piston and rods. never took out cam or crank or timing gears/balancer. It has a edelbrock performer and a holley 750 (i know its to big but i stole it for $100!) and has a hei. I cant seem to get it running and i think its timing. it turns over then coughs a coulple times then pops and shoots some flames out of exhaust and carb and doesn't start? really need some help. thanks.

MelWff

do you know how to get the engine to #1 TDC?
If you do, what cylinder in the distributor cap is the distributor rotor pointing to?
If not at #1 or a hair before it you have the distributor incorrectly installed.

Youngvettehunter

yeah i watched the exhaust valve open and close then the intake open and close. then i turned it till the balancer was at tdc then installed the dizzy with the rotor pointing at #1

Antz81

Did you install a new balancer? If you used the old one then you may find that TDC on the balancer is not TDC.

Ryan Menzies

Sounds like you're 180 degrees out.

Nevermind - He didn't take the chain off, cam out, etc.

Haggisbash

Have you got or can you borrow a timing light? Did you verify that TDC indicated by the timing marks agreed with true TDC while you had the heads off? As you say you never removed the balancer, how old is it, possible it may have spun and the marks are not correct.
If the marks are correct and you set the dizzy at tdc (initial timing will be retarded) try moving it slightly anti clockwise (advancing the timing) and see if this helps.

MelWff

Try the same procedure and turn the balancer until it is at 8 degrees before TDC, then drop the distributor in with rotor pointing to #1

TimAT

Pull #1 spark plug, stick your finger in the hole and bump the starter until it blows your finger out of the hole. Pop the distributor cap and see where the rotor is pointing.

Cooter Tech

Worked for me every time, no guessing! Easy to put the distributor in wrong. Make sure the rotor and cap are on correctly and tight. After you find TDC, check every wire is going to the correct cylinder. Easy to do, easier to screw up! Don't ask how I know that.

Ryan Menzies

I'm sure he is 180 out. I posted earlier about it and then had a brain fart and back tracked. Probably herding cats at work at the moment.

Jeff_Keryk

Yup. Check and restab that distributor.
To set initial, set damper from about 6* to 10* BTDC.
Hook up timing light.
Turn key to on position; slowly rotate distributor.
When light flashes, snug up distributor; prime carb and fire that bad-boy up.
Time engine as usual.
Anyways, this is what I do.

Youngvettehunter

I've heard a lot of people say I'm 180 off but I'm at tdc (I looked in the spark plug hole and the balancer says so to) the rotor is pointed at #1. So what do I do? Do I turn the balancer 180? Or what? It's on the compression stroke because I watched the exhaust valve open and close then the intake open and close then went to tdc and stabbed the sissy pointing at #1...

Youngvettehunter

I'll try that thanks

Cooter Tech

Are your valves adjusted correctly, not too tight or too loose. If the valves are right, then it still points to TDC. Try again on finding TDC. Valve adjustment will also cause this. Both valves are closed on two of the 4 cycles.

Ryan Menzies

Pull the distributor - turn the engine/crank over one time until TDC and drop the distributor in for # 1.

Also - -
"Pull #1 spark plug, stick your finger in the hole and bump the starter until it blows your finger out of the hole. Pop the distributor cap and see where the rotor is pointing."
As Tim had said.

Cooter Tech

Any success?

Youngvettehunter

Nothing yet I'm gonna try resetting the valve lash again today

gungatim

double check your plug wires are on the cap correctly. easy to mistakenly swap a couple around or have them one post off. 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2, in the proper direction.

Youngvettehunter

after i reset the valve lash i tried using some starting fluid and she almost popped off but then the battery died and wouldn't turn it over. its about 20 degrees outside where i live so im guessing that's one of the issues. also noticed my carb is leaking so it probably isn't getting enough gas. so im gonna buy a rebuild kit for the carb and instead of using a battery im goung to try to jump it off a running car.

Cooter Tech

Be careful not to get too many projects going at one time, especially if you are new to working on cars. Too many things that can cause you problems. Where is the carb leaking? Big fire hazard, especially if it is backfiring. Have an extinguisher near the car and don't be doing this in an attached garage. If it is leaking gas, fix it immediately or get it outside, where fire damage will be only to the car.