My '84 Vette doesn't start!!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Glendora California
My '84 Vette doesn't start!!!
I just had my heads worked on along with a valve job and new lifters. After putting everything back on and trying to start it, it wouldn't start. 
Any ideas as to why it might not be starting.
THANKS GUYS!!
Any ideas as to why it might not be starting.
THANKS GUYS!!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 2
From: Ramona CA
- Check fuel pressure fuel pressure regulator. If that's good check fuel pressure to the throttle bodies.
- Check the voltage to the distributor. Make sure there is spark. Crank the car with one of the plug wires removed but connected to a plug wire. While someone is cranking the car touch the threaded part of the plug to a ground point (head, frame, etc.). You should see spark at the plug. If so the distributor works.
- Did you change the distributor setting which could change timing?
- Check firing order. Did you hook the plug wires up correctly?
- Make sure you re-connected all grounds you may have disconnected removing the heads. On many engines there is ground connections to the back of the heads.
My 2 cents worth.
- Check the voltage to the distributor. Make sure there is spark. Crank the car with one of the plug wires removed but connected to a plug wire. While someone is cranking the car touch the threaded part of the plug to a ground point (head, frame, etc.). You should see spark at the plug. If so the distributor works.
- Did you change the distributor setting which could change timing?
- Check firing order. Did you hook the plug wires up correctly?
- Make sure you re-connected all grounds you may have disconnected removing the heads. On many engines there is ground connections to the back of the heads.
My 2 cents worth.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Glendora California
Well what was done was when I was trying to start it, my dad pushed the distributor closer to the firewall and it was able to start. We tried to start it again without "pushing" the distributor, but were unable to.
How might we be able to get the distributor to sit properly so it may start?
Rather, what procedure are taken to do so?
Thanks
How might we be able to get the distributor to sit properly so it may start?
Rather, what procedure are taken to do so?
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,882
Likes: 234
From: Bangkok, Thailand
It sounds like the distributor may be a tooth (or more) off. If you're not familiar with setting it, you may want to consult a manual.
Basically, you crank the engine around so that cylinder #1 is at top dead center (TDC). Remove the cap and coil assembly. Then you remove the hold-down bolt and the hold-down itself, wiggle the distributor up and out just enough for the teeth on the gear to disengage from the cam gear. Those gears are cut at an angle, so as you lift the distributor up, you'll see the rotor rotate. Move the rotor a little bit and work the distributor gently back into the engine.
The other end of the distributor has a slot inside the gear to drive the oil pump. You may need to pull the distributor all the way out and then use a LONG screwdriver to slightly rotate the oil pump driveshaft if you have to move the distributor by more than one tooth.
All that will make more sense when you're doing it.
Basically, you crank the engine around so that cylinder #1 is at top dead center (TDC). Remove the cap and coil assembly. Then you remove the hold-down bolt and the hold-down itself, wiggle the distributor up and out just enough for the teeth on the gear to disengage from the cam gear. Those gears are cut at an angle, so as you lift the distributor up, you'll see the rotor rotate. Move the rotor a little bit and work the distributor gently back into the engine.
The other end of the distributor has a slot inside the gear to drive the oil pump. You may need to pull the distributor all the way out and then use a LONG screwdriver to slightly rotate the oil pump driveshaft if you have to move the distributor by more than one tooth.
All that will make more sense when you're doing it.
