Engine will not start after distributor installed
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Freeport New York
Engine will not start after distributor installed
This past weekend we needed to change the intake manifold gaskets (water leak) on an 81. While putting it back together we removed all the smog stuff. Set the engine at TDC #1, installed the distributor with the rotor pointing at tower #1 on the distributor, all the distributor wires were marked and reinstalled in the correct firing order and it didn't start. It was late in the day so I didn't try to see if I was on the compression stroke or the exhaust. Also can this distributor be used after the smog wiring stuff was removed? I left all the original wiring on the distributor. Any help would be appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vader Vette
Swap the coil and the hei controller see what that does if that makes it run take the dist back and get a new one (a second new one).
Just put in A Jegs Msd street fire dist in my 75, the tach bounces a little but the engine does run better.
Just put in A Jegs Msd street fire dist in my 75, the tach bounces a little but the engine does run better.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 62
From: West Kingston RI
I would bring the engine back to TDC and verify that the rotor is pointing at the tower for #1 or 6, doesn't matter which since you said you were sure it was at #1 when you took it appart. It's p[ossible that you are a tooth off.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Freeport New York
The next time I'll be able to work on it will be Sunday, and I'll start from scratch. Get the engine to TDC #1 on the compression stroke, make sure the rotor is pointing at the #1 tower on the distributor and re set the distributor to make sure it's not off a tooth. The other thing I wasn't sure of is this distributor has a wire connection to the ECM (I think) since I disconnected the wiring to the smog pump and other smog related items would this effected the distributor timing advance?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23,419
Likes: 22
From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
There is good advice above, but the first thing I would do is the old remove a plug, ground it against a valve cover and turn the engine to confirm you are getting spark trick. If you are getting spark, it must be a timing issue and I would go forward with the above advice of making sure you are on the compression stroke of #1 and setting an initial timing. If you are not getting spark, you have a wiring problem that occurred somewhere along the way of disassembly and reassembly and are not yet ready to worry about timing.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Freeport New York
There is good advice above, but the first thing I would do is the old remove a plug, ground it against a valve cover and turn the engine to confirm you are getting spark trick. If you are getting spark, it must be a timing issue and I would go forward with the above advice of making sure you are on the compression stroke of #1 and setting an initial timing. If you are not getting spark, you have a wiring problem that occurred somewhere along the way of disassembly and reassembly and are not yet ready to worry about timing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 62
From: West Kingston RI
There is good advice above, but the first thing I would do is the old remove a plug, ground it against a valve cover and turn the engine to confirm you are getting spark trick. If you are getting spark, it must be a timing issue and I would go forward with the above advice of making sure you are on the compression stroke of #1 and setting an initial timing. If you are not getting spark, you have a wiring problem that occurred somewhere along the way of disassembly and reassembly and are not yet ready to worry about timing.
definately the first thing to see. Don't know if the smog stuff has any effect on your problem. Keep us informed. Good Luck