79 no start
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 8
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79 no start
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
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
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
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Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
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?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 109
From: Las Vegas NV
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.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
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?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 109
From: Las Vegas NV
Here's an old trick my grandfather taught me.
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.
- 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.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
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From: SW Florida.
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.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
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