AleroGLS

Ok I've been beating my head against a wall I've set the timing a few times now I've got spark back but for some reason It just won't start it try's and spit spudders and backfires through the carb it has a new distributor that I bench check and works good none of the valves look like they are sticking I'm lost can some one help

Jud Chapin

How did you set the timing w/o it running?

AleroGLS

I guess I should have re worded that I set cylinder one to tdc to get initial setup and I'm having these problems

Jud Chapin

Did it run okay prior to installing the new dist? If it did, I'd say your problem points to one of timing if the dist is good.

AleroGLS

No when I got it it had no spark at all my coworker said when it died he hit the throttle and heard a mettalic sound and as stated I got spark back it just keeps spitting through the carb

Jud Chapin

For starters, I'd double check the plug wires to be sure they're installed in their proper firing order.

AleroGLS

Ok is there anything else in peticular I should look for

Jud Chapin

If it wasn't running when you got the car, it could be a host of possibilities. Is it getting proper fuel and how old is it (fuel)?

toobroketoretire

It's backfiring because the timing is too far advanced.

'75

Could be ignition timing, could also be that the timing chain has jumped time. How many miles on the engine?

Big2Bird

My guess. He is 180* out.

AleroGLS

Ok I got the wires straightened out and now it's acting like no spark again any ideas distributor is good and has battry voltage at the distributor. It's definatly getting gas you can see that when you open choke plate and I have it set of cylinder one tdc on compression stroke is there something I'm missing like mabey it jumped a tooth in the chain?

AboveTheLogic

Pull a plug, hold it to ground using an insulated set of pliers, have someone crank the engine, see if there is any spark. If there is spark, then you have a timing issue. If no spark, that changes things.

derekderek

i agree. you set #1 at tdc, but you were where intake just opening and exh just closing. #6 should be firing at that point...

AleroGLS

Whe I set it at tdc I had v/c off intake valve had just closed so I moved it a little more exhaust valve started to open is I moved it back to zero setting in the timing tab is that wrong?

AboveTheLogic

Here's an old trick my grandfather taught me.

• Pull the spark plug, leave the wire connected.
• Shove a small part of a clean rag into the spark plug hole, just enough to seal the hole.
• Ground the spark plug, holding it with some insulated pliers.
• Have someone crank the engine.
• Watch for the spark on the plug, it should happen pretty much at the same time as the rag pops out of the hole, which you should be able to hear.

You'll get a pretty good idea if you're off 180* and can confirm at the same time that you have spark.

I suppose if you have a timing light, you could just use that instead.

derekderek

Absolutely. You are now SURE you are 180 out. When int and exh are both just open-closing is 180 out. 6 is firing at that point.

AleroGLS

Ok now I know when your at tdc on compression stroke both valves should be closed so I just rotate it 180* from current setting and reset the distributor to that and I should be ok right

derekderek

Pull dist wherever it is and rotate it 180 and put back.

AleroGLS

Thanks for the help everyone after I set timing she will be done runs now