New engine rebuild will not start HELP

gr8vet

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OK guys, what the heck did I forget to install or plug in?

on the '82

I got fuel, I got compression, I got #1 at TDC, I have the rotor button pointing to #1, verified 4 times, I got the wires plugged into the right spots, verified 4 times, I got power to the distributor, I tried two different distibutors, no start............

At the very beginning of trying to start I did get a little bit of fire and If twisitng the dist enough some fire out the pipes, then it just rolls over and over with nothing. Tried a bit later with same result, a bit of fire in beginning then nothing. Spark plugs are getting fuel, checked this too.

I got a headache..............

Thanks in advance.

tt
 
I can only tell you what I've done wrong before....distributor 180 degr. off
Wait a day, cool down and look at it again.Worked for me, plus somebody pointing out that the dizzy was 180 degr. off.....:clap:
 
I can only tell you what I've done wrong before....distributor 180 degr. off
Wait a day, cool down and look at it again.Worked for me, plus somebody pointing out that the dizzy was 180 degr. off.....:clap:

BINGO baby, especially if you have anything coming back up the carb....

and DONT ASK how I know this, Umm K??

:chinese::crutches:
 
Thanks guys, I think I do need another set of eyes o look at it, I feel certain it is something I am not seeing that should be obvious.

Hey, building memories, what fun eh?

Thanks again.

and BTW, did have alot of fuel spitting back up through the carb, huuummmm. I'll look at it as 180 out tomorrow.

tt
 
Awe poop,

TDC, #1 piston up with compression?

I have rotor button pointing toward #1, should it be pointing toward #2, i.e. 6:30ish position.

Dang it, I think I am off 1 spot on distributor.

Bad when you get old, can't see, can't think...............I'm a looser..........


tt
 
FUEL, ANYTHING spit back through the carb......

180 out.....:crutches: shit happens....
 
Awe poop,

TDC, #1 piston up with compression?

I have rotor button pointing toward #1, should it be pointing toward #2, i.e. 6:30ish position.

Dang it, I think I am off 1 spot on distributor.

Bad when you get old, can't see, can't think...............I'm a looser..........


tt

In addition to the above, if all is well your timing mark should be at zero on the balancer, THEN you can point the rotor at #1 plug and fine tune it from there.

And I have to disagree with you on the loser thing - a loser would not try at all..... my eyes are going bad too.... it sucks!
 
Awe poop,

TDC, #1 piston up with compression?

I have rotor button pointing toward #1, should it be pointing toward #2, i.e. 6:30ish position.

Dang it, I think I am off 1 spot on distributor.

Bad when you get old, can't see, can't think...............I'm a looser..........


tt

In addition to the above, if all is well your timing mark should be at zero on the balancer, THEN you can point the rotor at #1 plug and fine tune it from there.

And I have to disagree with you on the loser thing - a loser would not try at all..... my eyes are going bad too.... it sucks!

I agree, add the skeleton to the list....

:goodnight:
 
Update

When I "verified" TDC, I was going by the sticker on the balancer, I decided to ignore anything obvious and approach this thing as if I knew nothing(which is about normal). After a quick check of the rocker arms and pressure on #1, viola, the sticker was wrong, off by 90 degrees. Re-set everything and hit the switch, started immediately, purring like a kitten.

Thank you all for the suggestions and support!

tt
 
Sticker? on the balancer?? didn't it have a hash mark cut into the ring??

BTW, I know it's not pretty, but I try to paint balancers black, and put a white spot of paint on the hash mark area, sometimes just a quick shot of spray...this keeps it easy to see....

:friends:
 
It had 3 marks cut into it. 1 good one and 2 others to make me loose a bit more hair! :crutches: (I ain't no xpert but I am sure there is a good reason those other two marks on on there) I taped off an 1/8 inch section and shot it with some white paint.

tt
 
A couple of other tactics

1) Is the rotor really pointing at #1? I sacrificed an HEI distributor cap by cutting a hole in it just under the #1 terminal. Putting this cap on I can look through the hole and unequivocally see that I'm pointing at #1. I cut a square hole in the side of the cap by using a metal cut off disk in a Dremel. The cut off disk does a neat job by melting into the cap.

2) Diesel Cold Weather Starting Fluid sold in auto stores. It's really di-ethyl ether. Spray this into the engine as you crank the engine. If your engine is getting spark, and the timing is anywhere near correct, the engine will start. If the engine will only start on ether, it's not getting gasoline. If it won't start on ether, the timing is nowhere near correct or there's no spark.
 
I like to point it just before the contact, because really it makes contact as soon as the edge touches.

Hot wire in the dist? 180 out? Piston need to be on the compression stroke, TDC isn't enough. Could be on blow, not squeeze.
 
I like to point it just before the contact, because really it makes contact as soon as the edge touches.

Hot wire in the dist? 180 out? Piston need to be on the compression stroke, TDC isn't enough. Could be on blow, not squeeze.

Dang good point, figured this out by trail and error. Over anxious to get thigns going and get in a hurry at this point and as usual things take longer. :sweat:
 
It had 3 marks cut into it. 1 good one and 2 others to make me loose a bit more hair! :crutches: (I ain't no xpert but I am sure there is a good reason those other two marks on on there) I taped off an 1/8 inch section and shot it with some white paint.

tt

I would be suspicious of the balancer/dampner. Very good possibilty the ring has slipped and the previous owner remarked it.
 
A couple of other tactics

1) Is the rotor really pointing at #1? I sacrificed an HEI distributor cap by cutting a hole in it just under the #1 terminal. Putting this cap on I can look through the hole and unequivocally see that I'm pointing at #1. I cut a square hole in the side of the cap by using a metal cut off disk in a Dremel. The cut off disk does a neat job by melting into the cap.

2) Diesel Cold Weather Starting Fluid sold in auto stores. It's really di-ethyl ether. Spray this into the engine as you crank the engine. If your engine is getting spark, and the timing is anywhere near correct, the engine will start. If the engine will only start on ether, it's not getting gasoline. If it won't start on ether, the timing is nowhere near correct or there's no spark.

Other great points! Thank you.

tt
 

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