engine not running. timing?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 166
Likes: 6
engine not running. timing?
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.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,662
Likes: 2,563
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 166
Likes: 6
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
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 273
From: Dunedin NZ.
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.
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.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,662
Likes: 2,563
Rotor
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
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.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,240
Likes: 221
From: Dryden MI
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.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 235
Likes: 28
From: Fort McMurray Alberta
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.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 38
From: Los Gatos CA
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 166
Likes: 6
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...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,240
Likes: 221
From: Dryden MI
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...
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 235
Likes: 28
From: Fort McMurray Alberta
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...
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.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 166
Likes: 6
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,240
Likes: 221
From: Dryden MI
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.