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1st time starting issues

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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 07:35 PM
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Default 1st time starting issues

Today was to be the big day that I start the newly rebuilt engine.

Here are the pre-steps that I took:

1) Set the TDC mark on balancer with the 0 degree mark on the timing tab. Verified that I am on the compression stroke.
2) Installed the distributor such that it settled in with the rotor pointing exactly at the #1 post on the distributor cap.
3) Poured in a few ounces of gas into the carb.. Put about 1.5 gallons into the gas tank.

She cranks over strong but will not start..She spits out at the carb when cranking as well.. And she is getting spark...
Just trying to avoid too much cranking and no starting...Any suggestions?

thanks Rob

Last edited by 79vetter; Oct 1, 2006 at 07:44 PM.
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 07:42 PM
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With a buddy cranking the engine, very slowy advance the dist. She should fire right up. Sounds like you're about where you want to be. The engine wants just a little more advance.
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 07:51 PM
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The rotor turns clockwise so if you want an earlier spark rotate the dist ccw.
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 08:03 PM
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Well no luck with that either...I tried rotating it quite a bit in both directions while my buddy cranked away and it just seemed to spit out gas. Does the fuel pump need to be primed? I have been adding gas through the throat so I am not sure if that is what it is spitting back out.
Any other suggestions?
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 08:11 PM
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I would pull the valve cover and verify valve action on #1 and dist. position when at tdc along with position of harmonic balancer.
answer but you know what I mean.
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 09:26 PM
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The fuel pump does not need priming, just a good steady supply. Was the fuel tank dry when you added the 1-1/2 gals?
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 09:39 PM
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If the carb is spitting fuel, then the fuel pump sure as heck is pumping! So don't worry about that end of it, just make sure your spark is timed right.

If you are getting fuel and spark, then you should have SOMEthing even if it's a backfire through carb or exhaust.
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 09:55 PM
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Yes- I guess that you could say that I am getting a backfire through the carb. The fuel tank may have had a little old gas left in it before I added the 1.5 gallons to it. Perhaps it won't start because of some old fuel?
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 10:13 PM
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when you pull the throttle linkage is the accelerator pump squirting gas? that will tell you if the fuel pump is pumping gas. if you are just puoring gas down into the carb then you are most likely flooding it.

put a timing light on it while cranking it over to see where it is at.
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 10:26 PM
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Ah- yes I can see it squirting fuel inside the carb when the accel. is pushed...so it appears that I have both spark and fuel.
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Old Oct 1, 2006 | 10:30 PM
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Originally Posted by David Ey
I would pull the valve cover and verify valve action on #1 and dist. position when at tdc along with position of harmonic balancer.
answer but you know what I mean.
At this point do what David Ey suggested and see where your at.
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Old Oct 2, 2006 | 02:33 AM
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While you are SLOWLY turning the distributor, make sure that your cranking buddy isnt constantly pumping the accelerator. And dont keep pouring gas in the engine... If you flood it, it wont start regardless of the timing.
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Old Oct 2, 2006 | 07:02 AM
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You say it is spitting out of the carburetor. As previously suggested, confirm the valve action at number 1 cylinder in relation to the distributor.
As well, while you have the valve cover off, check to be sure the valve lash is set correctly. If the valves are too tight, holding a valve open, it could spit through the carb.



PS; don't ask how I learned about valve lash during a rebuild!
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Old Oct 2, 2006 | 10:21 AM
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From: Richardson Tx.
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When you say verify the valve action on #1, what am I looking for exactly when I pull the valve cover? Should I be looking at the valve springs on #1 when it is cranking?
Also, I have rotated my disti. so much that I am not 100% where I originally had it to start with now .. Thanks - I'm a little new at this.

Last edited by 79vetter; Oct 2, 2006 at 07:06 PM.
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Old Oct 2, 2006 | 07:08 PM
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Anyone else?
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Old Oct 2, 2006 | 08:15 PM
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Like 79vetter was saying, with the valve cover off, slowly rotate the engine watching #1 cylinder’s intake valve as it begins to open and when it starts to close start looking at the timing mark on the balancer and align the engine at TDC. This is the compression stroke for #1 cylinder and the distributor needs be installed with the rotor pointing to #1 sparkplug wire. Also check for proper sparkplug wiring. Starting from number 1 and working clockwise should be 1,8,4,3,6,5,7, 2.
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Old Oct 2, 2006 | 09:23 PM
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I am sure you did but when you connected the timing chain to the timing gears the dots on the cam gear and the crank gear were lined up? If so it has to be the distributor timing is way off. Another thing that could be a problem do you have your rocker arms too tight causing a valve to stay partially open causing firing thru the intake?
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 09:40 AM
  #18  
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Default Timing

Just my 2 cents, and I'm not sure if someone else addressed this .....but, could you have placed the distributor 180 degrees off.

:o
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Old Oct 20, 2006 | 06:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Corvetteran
Just my 2 cents, and I'm not sure if someone else addressed this .....but, could you have placed the distributor 180 degrees off.

:o
quite common, been there too
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Old Oct 20, 2006 | 08:55 AM
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i'm unsure of what you mean by the distributor being 180* off.
if the engine is set at tdc on compression stroke and dist wire and rotor are aligned to #1 cylinder, how could the dist be 180* off?
thanks
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