pulled the plugs off the distributor
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
pulled the plugs off the distributor
Call me stupid. I know. I wasn't thinking when I pulled the wires off the distributor cap and now I can't get the car to crank up. I tried pulling the plug off number 1 and when I thought I found number 1 on the distributor I put the wires back on in 1,8,4,3,6,5,7,2 but still not won't crank. It will turn over until the battery goes dead but no crank. 
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
i have a picture that may help you that shows the correct positions of all the ignition wires.
It's on my website in the tech articles section.
http://69.253.166.197/page1/page65/page65.html
go to the very last article listed called "ignwires.jpg"
It's on my website in the tech articles section.
http://69.253.166.197/page1/page65/page65.html
go to the very last article listed called "ignwires.jpg"
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Cumming GA
By any chance do you have any old pics of the engine bay area that might help? (either yours or when you bought it).
Other than that what you can do is get your timing mark to zero, pull the cap and see where the rotor is. (so thats either #1 or #6)....Your are either dead on or 180 off. (and if you wanted you could pull the #1 plug to check where the piston is............or.......... look for both valves to be closed on #1)... But the first should get you there without the hassle of the other.
Other than that what you can do is get your timing mark to zero, pull the cap and see where the rotor is. (so thats either #1 or #6)....Your are either dead on or 180 off. (and if you wanted you could pull the #1 plug to check where the piston is............or.......... look for both valves to be closed on #1)... But the first should get you there without the hassle of the other.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
how can he get his timing mark to zero if the engine wont start? 
Why did you pull the plug wires off the distributor? Did you change anything? (I once forgot to put the rotor back on!!!!! DUHHH!!)
Why did you pull the plug wires off the distributor? Did you change anything? (I once forgot to put the rotor back on!!!!! DUHHH!!)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
Originally Posted by PRNDL
how can he get his timing mark to zero if the engine wont start?
Actually, I use the starter to bump the motor over and get it close than manually turn it over by hand to get it where it needs to be
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Cumming GA
If you can pull a few plugs out fast that makes it easier on your starter to crank her to as close to zero as possible. But the more exact you can get the timing mark to that zero position makes it easier on you.
(then you can hook up your timing light on #1 wire and just with the starter cranking it............for very short bursts......... should see the light fire...or not....at the timing mark to see if you are on or not)
(then you can hook up your timing light on #1 wire and just with the starter cranking it............for very short bursts......... should see the light fire...or not....at the timing mark to see if you are on or not)
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Hamden CT
Finding #1 TDC Compression & Dist. Wiring
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Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
not sure about distributor
I had a guy come out and get my 81 cranked about a month ago. I took it to get a new tranny put in and drove it back home. In the midst of beginning other work under the hood, I got to talking while working and pulled the wires without marking them. Was going to put new wires on since I had all new everything else. I don't know right off whether it's HEI or not. I'll have to check when I get home but I remember that when I thought it was the distributor I bought a replacement for the 81 and it didn't match. I had Advance Auto look up one from a previous year and the 78 with vacuum advance matched the one I have in the car. Fortunately I didn't need a new distributor after all. THe picture above looks EXACTLY line mine though.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
From: Marion Ia
The problem with going from a diagram or a picture that is not you car is that the previous owner may not have put the distributor in the correct position and then wired it where it was sitting. A chevy distibutor can be dropped in any location and wired from there. Your best bet is to put the engine on 0 timing as advised above and start from there.
