Help me get started
Thread Starter
5th Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,447
From:
Help me get started
Ok,
I have been posting many random questions the last couple days and I finally have my fuel system pumping gas.
The car sounds like it wants to start, but I have no luck getting it started.
I have not changed the dizzy or checked the timing, but just about everything else in brand new. I'm running a holly 600, edelborck performer RPM intake, stock cam, and heads. I pulled a plug out recently and Iwas getting spark, but know I think I'll go back and check again.
I have been trying to start the car for a while and I thought there should be some marking on the rotor or dizzy cap from the electiral contact, but the parts look brand new. If I check my points again and pull a plug and I have spark, what else could keep my car from starting.
I have been posting many random questions the last couple days and I finally have my fuel system pumping gas.
The car sounds like it wants to start, but I have no luck getting it started.
I have not changed the dizzy or checked the timing, but just about everything else in brand new. I'm running a holly 600, edelborck performer RPM intake, stock cam, and heads. I pulled a plug out recently and Iwas getting spark, but know I think I'll go back and check again.
I have been trying to start the car for a while and I thought there should be some marking on the rotor or dizzy cap from the electiral contact, but the parts look brand new. If I check my points again and pull a plug and I have spark, what else could keep my car from starting.
I ♥ Acer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,565
From:
RE: Help me get started
You can get spark even though you have the distributor in at 180 degrees out, or you have the spark plug wires in the wrong order. What engine do you have? If we know that, we can lead you through initial timing procedures and help you check the firing order.
Thread Starter
5th Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,447
From:
RE: Help me get started
I have an original 289 car with a 302 short block.
I have double checked the spark plug wires and I'm good. ( passenger side is back with 1,3,5,7)
I have not removed the dizzy, and I will buy a timing light if needed.
I have double checked the spark plug wires and I'm good. ( passenger side is back with 1,3,5,7)
I have not removed the dizzy, and I will buy a timing light if needed.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,417
From: Cork, Ireland
RE: Help me get started
timing light will help you to adjust your timing to the degree.
But as Soaring says. If you're distributor is 180 degrees off, then it will fire exactly 6 degrees BDC when you want it to, put it will fire in the exhaust stroke instead of the combustion stroke.
you're engine works on 4 strokes. that means the piston goes up twice when the cam is turned only once.
check as follows :
turn your engine to top dead center. check on the valves for the 1st cylinder. They need to be both closed.
(ask someone else about how to check that .... I'm new to those yokes. I'm just a mechanic
maybe you can check when you pull the spark plug. when the piston goes up air should be compressed out of the hole where the spark plug was.
If one or both of them are open, then turn the crank another 360 degrees. Again the pistion will be on top dead center, but this time the cyl1 has
compression (fuel and air) which are just screaming for a spark.
This is when you adjust the distributor so that the rotor points to the 1st cylinder. put cap on.
hook up the rest of the spark plugs in firing order. I believe the 289's distributor is runnin counterclockwise.
when that's done try to start and slowly turn the distributor by a few degrees. If you're lucky the engine will start then.
Adjust your timing then (best with a timining light). If you have points in the distri they must be adjusted before you do all that above.
hope it helps
there's only 3 problems youi can have when the engine is not running:
a) no spark (or totally of time)
b) no fuel (or totally wrong mixture)
c) no compression
kalli
But as Soaring says. If you're distributor is 180 degrees off, then it will fire exactly 6 degrees BDC when you want it to, put it will fire in the exhaust stroke instead of the combustion stroke.
you're engine works on 4 strokes. that means the piston goes up twice when the cam is turned only once.
check as follows :
turn your engine to top dead center. check on the valves for the 1st cylinder. They need to be both closed.
(ask someone else about how to check that .... I'm new to those yokes. I'm just a mechanic
maybe you can check when you pull the spark plug. when the piston goes up air should be compressed out of the hole where the spark plug was.
If one or both of them are open, then turn the crank another 360 degrees. Again the pistion will be on top dead center, but this time the cyl1 has
compression (fuel and air) which are just screaming for a spark.
This is when you adjust the distributor so that the rotor points to the 1st cylinder. put cap on.
hook up the rest of the spark plugs in firing order. I believe the 289's distributor is runnin counterclockwise.
when that's done try to start and slowly turn the distributor by a few degrees. If you're lucky the engine will start then.
Adjust your timing then (best with a timining light). If you have points in the distri they must be adjusted before you do all that above.
hope it helps
there's only 3 problems youi can have when the engine is not running:
a) no spark (or totally of time)
b) no fuel (or totally wrong mixture)
c) no compression
kalli
Thread Starter
5th Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,447
From:
RE: Help me get started
ORIGINAL: kalli
timing light will help you to adjust your timing to the degree.
But as Soaring says. If you're distributor is 180 degrees off, then it will fire exactly 6 degrees BDC when you want it to, put it will fire in the exhaust stroke instead of the combustion stroke.
you're engine works on 4 strokes. that means the piston goes up twice when the cam is turned only once.
check as follows :
turn your engine to top dead center. check on the valves for the 1st cylinder. They need to be both closed.
(ask someone else about how to check that .... I'm new to those yokes. I'm just a mechanic
maybe you can check when you pull the spark plug. when the piston goes up air should be compressed out of the hole where the spark plug was.
If one or both of them are open, then turn the crank another 360 degrees. Again the pistion will be on top dead center, but this time the cyl1 has
compression (fuel and air) which are just screaming for a spark.
This is when you adjust the distributor so that the rotor points to the 1st cylinder. put cap on.
hook up the rest of the spark plugs in firing order. I believe the 289's distributor is runnin counterclockwise.
when that's done try to start and slowly turn the distributor by a few degrees. If you're lucky the engine will start then.
Adjust your timing then (best with a timining light). If you have points in the distri they must be adjusted before you do all that above.
hope it helps
there's only 3 problems youi can have when the engine is not running:
a) no spark (or totally of time)
b) no fuel (or totally wrong mixture)
c) no compression
kalli
timing light will help you to adjust your timing to the degree.
But as Soaring says. If you're distributor is 180 degrees off, then it will fire exactly 6 degrees BDC when you want it to, put it will fire in the exhaust stroke instead of the combustion stroke.
you're engine works on 4 strokes. that means the piston goes up twice when the cam is turned only once.
check as follows :
turn your engine to top dead center. check on the valves for the 1st cylinder. They need to be both closed.
(ask someone else about how to check that .... I'm new to those yokes. I'm just a mechanic
maybe you can check when you pull the spark plug. when the piston goes up air should be compressed out of the hole where the spark plug was.
If one or both of them are open, then turn the crank another 360 degrees. Again the pistion will be on top dead center, but this time the cyl1 has
compression (fuel and air) which are just screaming for a spark.
This is when you adjust the distributor so that the rotor points to the 1st cylinder. put cap on.
hook up the rest of the spark plugs in firing order. I believe the 289's distributor is runnin counterclockwise.
when that's done try to start and slowly turn the distributor by a few degrees. If you're lucky the engine will start then.
Adjust your timing then (best with a timining light). If you have points in the distri they must be adjusted before you do all that above.
hope it helps
there's only 3 problems youi can have when the engine is not running:
a) no spark (or totally of time)
b) no fuel (or totally wrong mixture)
c) no compression
kalli
I have not removed the dizzy. The car ran when it was parked so I have been assuming the timing would not be off. (even though thta was 30 years ago...) I had spark a month ago but I'm going to pull a plug and make sure i have spark, then I will know if I have no spark or if my timing is off.
I ♥ Acer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,565
From:
RE: Help me get started
4 8
3 7
2 6 Firing Order 15426378
1 5
Front
OK, let's assume for a moment that your timing is fine since you haven't moved the distributor. Now, we have to assume the spark plug wires are not going to the right plug.
Look at your distributor. The plug wire that is at about 1:00 on the cap is your #1 plug wire. Now make sure it runs to the #1 plug. (See Above)
Now, go counter-clockwise one plug wire on the cap and run that wire to the #5 plug. Now go one more plug wire counter-clockwise and run that wire to the #4 plug,. etc. etc. If when you get the plug wires running to the right cylinders and it still won't start, get back and we will troubleshoot your fuel system.
3 7
2 6 Firing Order 15426378
1 5
Front
OK, let's assume for a moment that your timing is fine since you haven't moved the distributor. Now, we have to assume the spark plug wires are not going to the right plug.
Look at your distributor. The plug wire that is at about 1:00 on the cap is your #1 plug wire. Now make sure it runs to the #1 plug. (See Above)
Now, go counter-clockwise one plug wire on the cap and run that wire to the #5 plug. Now go one more plug wire counter-clockwise and run that wire to the #4 plug,. etc. etc. If when you get the plug wires running to the right cylinders and it still won't start, get back and we will troubleshoot your fuel system.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,417
From: Cork, Ireland
RE: Help me get started
nice one Soaring :-)
i totally missed the fact that he didn't pull the distributor.
So do what Soaring says and make sure:
your engine is straight on top dead center (the mark on flywheel matches marker) and the rotor in the distri points to 1 o clock (just where you are going to plug cyl 1) at the same time. If not turn the engine another 360 degrees. It should match then. Let us know if this is not the case
Kalli
i totally missed the fact that he didn't pull the distributor.
So do what Soaring says and make sure:
your engine is straight on top dead center (the mark on flywheel matches marker) and the rotor in the distri points to 1 o clock (just where you are going to plug cyl 1) at the same time. If not turn the engine another 360 degrees. It should match then. Let us know if this is not the case
Kalli
Thread Starter
5th Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,447
From:
RE: Help me get started
I have no idea if I flooded the engine. The battery is good.
The wires are in the right place. The coil is brand new.
Later I will check to see if I still have spark.
Thanks for the help guys.
Parker
The wires are in the right place. The coil is brand new.
Later I will check to see if I still have spark.
Thanks for the help guys.
Parker