Won't turn over after over-heating.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Won't turn over after over-heating.
Hey fellas,
The other day, my '79 over-heated while I was on the highway. My temp gauge wasn't unplugged at the time unfortunately so I didn't realize it was happening until it started to misfire and I start losing lots of power. I pulled over as fast as I could. It was obvious I was leaking water into the oil so I changed the head gaskets and intake gaskets as well as changed the oil. After putting it back together, I tried cranking it but it would not start up. It turns and after a while it sounds like it's just about to start up but never does. What do you guys think I should do? I know a decent amount about cars but not nearly as much as some of you or a mechanic. Thanks in advance! I lost my job a couple of weeks ago so I'm trying not to take it in as I'm not sure how long it will be until I can find a new one.
The other day, my '79 over-heated while I was on the highway. My temp gauge wasn't unplugged at the time unfortunately so I didn't realize it was happening until it started to misfire and I start losing lots of power. I pulled over as fast as I could. It was obvious I was leaking water into the oil so I changed the head gaskets and intake gaskets as well as changed the oil. After putting it back together, I tried cranking it but it would not start up. It turns and after a while it sounds like it's just about to start up but never does. What do you guys think I should do? I know a decent amount about cars but not nearly as much as some of you or a mechanic. Thanks in advance! I lost my job a couple of weeks ago so I'm trying not to take it in as I'm not sure how long it will be until I can find a new one.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Well, got to go thru the basics: Timing, make absolutely sure your distributor is correctly indexed and that it is set to 8 or 10* before. Make sure all the plug wires on on the correct plugs. Is there gas in tha carb? I fill mine thru the air horn vent before even trying to start a new motor, it works every time. Recheck the oil for water, no sense in trying to get it running if it is still getting coolant in the oil.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 262
Likes: 2
From: FREDERICKSBURG VA
Pull the #1 spark plug, put your finger over the spark plug hole while you turn the engine with a wrench on the crank bolt, when it starts blowing air out from compression look at the timing mark, it should be coming up on 0 degrees, now look at your distributor, the rotor should be pointing at the #1 spark plug, if it 180 degrees out, pointing at #6, you put it in wrong when you put on the timing chain.
Good luck, Jules
Good luck, Jules
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Well, got to go thru the basics: Timing, make absolutely sure your distributor is correctly indexed and that it is set to 8 or 10* before. Make sure all the plug wires on on the correct plugs. Is there gas in tha carb? I fill mine thru the air horn vent before even trying to start a new motor, it works every time. Recheck the oil for water, no sense in trying to get it running if it is still getting coolant in the oil.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
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From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Pull the #1 spark plug, put your finger over the spark plug hole while you turn the engine with a wrench on the crank bolt, when it starts blowing air out from compression look at the timing mark, it should be coming up on 0 degrees, now look at your distributor, the rotor should be pointing at the #1 spark plug, if it 180 degrees out, pointing at #6, you put it in wrong when you put on the timing chain.
Good luck, Jules
Good luck, Jules
this is THE fool proof method (above) and never fails.... Have someone turn it over instead of jumpping the starter.
When you say "it wont turn over" do you really mean to say "it wont start"??? "turning over " means to me-and many others- that its locked up and will not rotate.....
info: you WILL have fire on all plugs and still have the dist set wrong..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Europe, France
Assuming you have fuel in the carb, you could perform a cylinder compression check or a leakdown test, just to be sure valvetrain adjustment is correct.
If compression is OK, it's most likely an ignition problem.
Are you sure you didn't shift the ignition wires on the distributor cap when you put them back ?
Crank the engine until you're at cylinder #1 TDC with both valves closed, then check that the distributor rotor is pointing towards cylinder #1 tower. Firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 clockwise.
If compression is OK, it's most likely an ignition problem.
Are you sure you didn't shift the ignition wires on the distributor cap when you put them back ?
Crank the engine until you're at cylinder #1 TDC with both valves closed, then check that the distributor rotor is pointing towards cylinder #1 tower. Firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 clockwise.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Hmm, I think you nailed it! Everything else seems to be properly installed/adjusted. Should I go back and turn the nut 3/4 a turn after the pushrod has tension on it? In case it matters, my motor has high compression, with a cam, custom pistons... Also, do you happen to know what size nut is on the crank? Somebody stole my tools i had sitting outside while I went in and now I don't remember what size I need to go buy now. Thank you very much!
