Help! Won't Start
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans Louisiana
Help! Won't Start
I'm getting frustrated and can use some help. I have a '71 with a 350 and the TH400. I go to crank the engine and it turns over a couple of times and then the starter stops turning it - it slows down and stops cranking it over, like it's getting some resistance. Here's what I've done over the last couple of weeks:
Installed new HEI tach drive distributor - found TDC by pulling #1 plug, removing old distributor and putting new one in.
Ran new Moroso Blue Max wires in the right firing order to the cap.
Ran a direct 12V wire from the batt plug on the coil to the IGN terminal on the fuse panel. And there is spark when I crank the engine. At least before it stops!
Battery is fully charged.
Bought a new starter today and installed it - still the same problem!
So what's the deal? Is the distributor off some way? The first time I tried to crank it, it did spit some fuel and air out of the carb. After that it just cranks a few times and then grinds down. I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!
Ken
Installed new HEI tach drive distributor - found TDC by pulling #1 plug, removing old distributor and putting new one in.
Ran new Moroso Blue Max wires in the right firing order to the cap.
Ran a direct 12V wire from the batt plug on the coil to the IGN terminal on the fuse panel. And there is spark when I crank the engine. At least before it stops!
Battery is fully charged.
Bought a new starter today and installed it - still the same problem!
So what's the deal? Is the distributor off some way? The first time I tried to crank it, it did spit some fuel and air out of the carb. After that it just cranks a few times and then grinds down. I'd appreciate any help. Thanks!
Ken
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
go back to the basics and start cleaning all the battery cables and especially the ground cables both battery to ground and engine to chassis. i doubt it has anyting to do with the dist.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans Louisiana
Hmmm. Ok. I'll check the battery. It's pretty new but the car has been sitting for a while. Still under warranty so if it's bad I'll exchange it for a new one. I'll let y'all know what happens. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 0
From: Canton Ohio
Sounds like the same sypmtoms my 74 when I went to start it recently but once I drove it for the day it fired right up the next day. So I am going to have to agree with them and sa it was the battery.
