Won't start after distributor rebuild
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Won't start after distributor rebuild
I have a 1970 350. I rebuilt the distributor. Installed it with the rotor pointing to no. 1 at tdc, but it won't fire? I have spark at the plugs? The wire on the condenser on the coil broke off. Will this cause a non-start? I read that this condenser was to only to prevent radio static.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 300
Likes: 10
I have a 1970 350. I rebuilt the distributor. Installed it with the rotor pointing to no. 1 at tdc, but it won't fire? I have spark at the plugs? The wire on the condenser on the coil broke off. Will this cause a non-start? I read that this condenser was to only to prevent radio static.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
It is not even trying to fire. It ran fine before i took the distributor out. I did not take the wires off. I gotta missing something obvious?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
You state (with a question mark) that you have a spark. Is that a question or a statement? The condenser attached to the coil is for radio interference and is not needed for a start. First, confirm that the system is generating a spark. Then confirm that the engine is on the #1 cylinder firing position (not #1 position on the exhaust stroke). There are dozens of posts about determining #1 firing position, do a search and read them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 299
From: Midlothian VA
I have a 1970 350. I rebuilt the distributor. Installed it with the rotor pointing to no. 1 at tdc, but it won't fire? I have spark at the plugs? The wire on the condenser on the coil broke off. Will this cause a non-start? I read that this condenser was to only to prevent radio static.
It needed to be installed pointing at the exact same cylinder tower as when removed. Now you'll need to pull the distributor, locate TDC on the compression stroke on the #1 cylinder and reinstall the distributor pointing to the #1 plug tower.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
You had the distributor set for #1 plug. Did you roll the engine over to TDC compression stroke position. (TDC exhaust stroke is one engine rotation away from where you need it.)
Engine and distributor need to be set together for it to start.
P.S. The condenser at the ignition coil is for 'noise suppression' only. Don't worry about it.
Engine and distributor need to be set together for it to start.
P.S. The condenser at the ignition coil is for 'noise suppression' only. Don't worry about it.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Feb 15, 2016 at 11:02 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 38
From: Los Gatos CA
If the distributor was not installed correctly, but is functioning, then your engine should backfire, fire, misfire, etc. Stabbing a distributor is easy. Remove #1 plug, have friend click key while you have your thumb or finger over plug hole. Stop just before TDC on your damper; 6* to 10* BTDC is perfect. Install plug and stab distributer with rotor pointing to #1 terminal. Hook up timing light and turn key to on position. SLOWLY rotate distributor; when light flashes tighten down distributor. Prime engine and fire; time engine as usual.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 299
From: Midlothian VA
If it was running when you pulled it out and it won't run now then most likely the rotor wasn't pointing to the #1 plug tower when you removed it.
It needed to be installed pointing at the exact same cylinder tower as when removed. Now you'll need to pull the distributor, locate TDC on the compression stroke on the #1 cylinder and reinstall the distributor pointing to the #1 plug tower.
It needed to be installed pointing at the exact same cylinder tower as when removed. Now you'll need to pull the distributor, locate TDC on the compression stroke on the #1 cylinder and reinstall the distributor pointing to the #1 plug tower.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 911
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From: TN
Distributor gear
Did you install the distributor gear with the pointed end of the rotor in line with the dot on the distributor gear?