Help - Final step in engine rebuild
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 289
Likes: 40
From: Duxbury MA
Help - Final step in engine rebuild
I'm a rookie and I finally finished rebuilding my 350, have it all back in ready to fire up...EXCEPT I can't get the distributor (MSD billet) to drop in the last 1/4 inch. I have the number one cylinder close to TDC so it should line up. Right?
Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?
Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,692
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
You probably have to turn the oil pump drive shaft. Use a long, slot screwdriver to turn the slot to align with the slot in the distributor shaft. Remember that the gears on the shaft will cause the relative bosition to sift so you need to allow for that.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 289
Likes: 40
From: Duxbury MA
OK, distributer's in, everything looks like it's connected correctly, lights all come on but no juice to the engine. I think the reverse gear safety cut out isn't disengaging, but even in neutral no juice, not even a click at the starter. I checked the connections at the starter they all seem ok. I think it must have something to do with the reverse switch. How can I check this?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,465
Likes: 1,485
From: Little Rock AR
OK, distributer's in, everything looks like it's connected correctly, lights all come on but no juice to the engine. I think the reverse gear safety cut out isn't disengaging, but even in neutral no juice, not even a click at the starter. I checked the connections at the starter they all seem ok. I think it must have something to do with the reverse switch. How can I check this?
Find some way to check for 12V at the small starter terminal closer to the engine block. This is where you are supposed to attach the purple signal wire from the key. You want to find 12V there when someone turns the key. If not, you need to look at the neutral safety switch and the rest of the stuff in the circuit.
-Mark.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Since all the lights come on you have 12v at the large terminal on the starter. Your probably having lockout switch problems. The switch is on the transmission linkage I think ( I have an auto) If you had the engine out it is possible that the switch got mis adjusted.
Anoter possibility is the grounds on the engine, there should be a ground strap on the back of the passenger head connected to a ground stud on the firewall. On the starter there should be a small black wire with a large terminal on it that should be on the bellhousing bolt, NOT on the battery terminal on the starter. There should be a large ground cable connected from the starter bracket or the side of the block to the bottom side of the pass side motor mount
Anoter possibility is the grounds on the engine, there should be a ground strap on the back of the passenger head connected to a ground stud on the firewall. On the starter there should be a small black wire with a large terminal on it that should be on the bellhousing bolt, NOT on the battery terminal on the starter. There should be a large ground cable connected from the starter bracket or the side of the block to the bottom side of the pass side motor mount
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