Distributor timing. Get the dizzy installed correctly and you should be OK.
start up problems
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 189
Likes: 6
From: van buren arkansas
start up problems
I have replaced the timing belt, and got a valve job, and new oil pump.
Now i cant get the 1972, 454 to run, the starter works fine, i put in new wires and plugs. HEI ignition, 8mm wires. The carb. was also rebuilt. HELP
Now i cant get the 1972, 454 to run, the starter works fine, i put in new wires and plugs. HEI ignition, 8mm wires. The carb. was also rebuilt. HELP
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
colo69,
Need some more info. Are you getting fuel and spark? I'm guessing your engine cranks fine. If you have backfiring, you may be a tooth or two off on your distributor or you may be 180 degrees off. I've been there before. Verify you are getting fuel and spark, then reset to TDC and make sure your dizzy is lined up straight.
Need some more info. Are you getting fuel and spark? I'm guessing your engine cranks fine. If you have backfiring, you may be a tooth or two off on your distributor or you may be 180 degrees off. I've been there before. Verify you are getting fuel and spark, then reset to TDC and make sure your dizzy is lined up straight.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 189
Likes: 6
From: van buren arkansas
i am getting a spark, and sometimes it back fires. i have power to HEI. yes we are getting fuel. the guy i got it from said it was a 427, but i looked up the block numbers which indicates a 454 from a 1972 engine. it is in a 1968 vette. it very cold out 27 degree's. i have had a heater on the pan.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
I think you are one tooth off on the distributor. If it runs for a short period and backfires, you are a tooth off. If it just backfires while cranking, you are probably 180 degrees off. I've been in both circumstances and it is an easy fix.
Good luck. Let us know what you find out.
Good luck. Let us know what you find out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
someone tell him how to get the dizzy installed correctly. Get a friend that know how and have them check your work. You are identifying #1 correctly aren't you, ford is different than chev.
Who rebuilt the carb??? Did you do all the work?/ Anything done with the cam & lifters?? Connecting rods replaced? Tell us more about engine rebuild.
Who rebuilt the carb??? Did you do all the work?/ Anything done with the cam & lifters?? Connecting rods replaced? Tell us more about engine rebuild.
Last edited by lvmyvt76; Nov 28, 2013 at 09:01 AM.
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
And make sure that there is a ground cable with CLEAN connections from the engine block to the chassis (and a 16 gauge ground wire from the distributor housing to the engine block couldn't hurt matters). You can "get away" without having either ground wire....but it's better to have them.
Also......do NOT use the steel-stranded resistor wire (that previously supplied low-amp voltage to the original firewall mounted coil) to supply voltage to the HEI distributor---the distributor needs a Key-on/12volt copper wire run to the distributor to get max output.
Also......do NOT use the steel-stranded resistor wire (that previously supplied low-amp voltage to the original firewall mounted coil) to supply voltage to the HEI distributor---the distributor needs a Key-on/12volt copper wire run to the distributor to get max output.
Last edited by doorgunner; Nov 28, 2013 at 09:53 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Maybe that has something to do with why it won't run?
Just teasing, colo69, engines from that era don't use timing belts, they use timing chains, that's all.
Did you do the work yourself, or have a shop do it?
The very first thing I would do, if I were in your shoes, is double and triple check that the plug wires are oriented in the correct firing order, 18436572
Scott
Just teasing, colo69, engines from that era don't use timing belts, they use timing chains, that's all.
Did you do the work yourself, or have a shop do it?
The very first thing I would do, if I were in your shoes, is double and triple check that the plug wires are oriented in the correct firing order, 18436572
Scott
Last edited by scottyp99; Nov 28, 2013 at 11:50 AM.