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View Full Version : Where are my 350 Guys at!

Kane
11-12-2008, 06:03 PM
Welp - after a few weeks of work we got the refurbished motor all build and set up.

Then to be defeated by electrical - so no starting yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVAqPaMaOiI

Once we got it to turn over - I couldn't get it to catch - fueling was good; I think timing was off; once I moved the distributor a few degrees (retarded) I got a huge intake backfire....

Other than advancing it - any ideas for start up? I know the motor is bone dry and all since we had it all the way down to the block - but I thought you weren't supposed ot time it until it was running and warmed up - kinda hard to do that if it won't start.
xurusaibobx
11-13-2008, 09:17 PM
first off did u prime the oil pump?

if it back fired bad then your probably 180* off on the dizzy

old school should be the easiest! carb right?

so long ur fuel pump is working and got power to the dizzy it should start up

is it cranking?

you should pm ROB hes the grand master ...

but i would start with double checking the dizzy if its on the right cycle (top dead center cylinder 1 stroke intake ) if it back fired then u on the 3 stroke tdc
Kane
11-14-2008, 11:34 AM
first off did u prime the oil pump? YEP

if it back fired bad then your probably 180* off on the dizzy POSSIBLE

old school should be the easiest! carb right? NO LAPTOP; So I am hurting

so long ur fuel pump is working and got power to the dizzy it should start up

is it cranking? YES IT IS

you should pm ROB hes the grand master ...

but i would start with double checking the dizzy if its on the right cycle (top dead center cylinder 1 stroke intake ) if it back fired then u on the 3 stroke tdc

I know the motor and CAM are lined up TDC - So if Cylinder 3 is TDC I have a problem... I'll take the valve cover off and double check everything is lined up right.

Thanks!!!!
xurusaibobx
11-14-2008, 11:41 AM
so if u got spark/fuel/crank but no turnover?

does it sound like it wants to start? or just dead crank?

mechanical fuel pump or electric?

you said you running carb right? holley edlebrock?
s15project
11-14-2008, 12:06 PM
I would prime the oil pump too if the block is bone dry.

If your timing is right and you think it's electrical check for spark while you're cranking. Maybe your ignition doesn't have power while you're cranking.
Kane
11-14-2008, 12:19 PM
It sounds like it wants to go... a few backfries in the header - and then that one in the Intake Manifold. And a few individual cranks; but no go from there.

The engine was bone dry - and we primed the pump for a few minutes - plus molly lubed all the parts like cam; rockers etc (per directions).

Fuel Pump is Mechnical - Carb is Edlebrook 600 CFM. We got fuel - and spark; I am just wondering if it takes a while to get her going again on a stone cold block with new heads etc???

But I think maybe timing is a primary cause..... just wanted more feedback from the expierienced folks.
Nick
11-14-2008, 12:30 PM
Sounds like a timing issue.

Double check you are set to TDC on #1
Kane
11-14-2008, 12:35 PM
Will Do - wish me luck..... LOLZ
reydio
11-14-2008, 02:09 PM
Sounds like a timing issue.

Double check you are set to TDC on #1

X2, check your timing.
s15project
11-14-2008, 09:26 PM
Maybe check firing order too? Could have misplaced a plug wire or two. I know I've had to triple check myself on that body style vette since if you use the stock routing down behind the heads and under the exhaust it's a little hard to follow the wires.

Mechanical fuel pump can take some cranking to fill the bowls on the initial start up. But if you been cranking it for awhile/a number of times you should already have filled the bowls. Could try a shot of starting fluid into the carb and see if it fires. If it does either it's a fuel problem or you just have to crank awhile longer to fill the bowls in the carb.
xurusaibobx
11-14-2008, 10:29 PM
try spin the flywheel with a pry bar see if it takes a lot of force? or 1/2 drive to the balancer bolt. if the bottom end has been sitting for long time i might of sized up... can try dropping a few drips of oil into the spark plug opening free up the pistons
Udrivecrap
11-14-2008, 10:55 PM
yep check your firing order and wiring.

it could be you are 180 degrees off on the distributor, or it could be just a tooth off, from what you described about the way it backfired but didn't start while playing with the timing. i'd check to make sure you got the rotor lined up just before #1 when its TDC on the compression stroke.

if you have an old MSD box that could aslo be toast.. the distributor could be having issues.. i can think of lots of reasons why it "won't start" but i'd go with double checking the ignition system first.
Nick
11-15-2008, 08:38 AM
The backfiring through the intake and some in the exhaust says a lot. Most likely incorrectly timed. Maybe from the cam, maybe from the distributor. Either way they should be checked first.
Kane
11-15-2008, 09:16 AM
All goood advice guys - thanks.

Yeah I am still leaning timing - haven't had a chance to try again since I am leaving for Canada in a few - but I will when I get back.

I know (or think I know) the cam is timed right since I put it in myself (indexing the old one etc); but the fellas removed the intake and distributor when I wasn't home and didn't index it; so I tried to retime by hand; and could has easily got it off a bit.

I miss ignition coils sometimes.... LOL
Nick
11-16-2008, 10:36 AM
First things first. Make sure that the cam is properly timed. If it is not timed properly, no amount of playing with the distributor is gonna help you.
Kane
11-16-2008, 01:20 PM
Yeah I indexed the cam and timing pullies before replacement - and then verified it with a cam degree wheel so I am pretty sure that is good. But you never know...

I just don't wanna take the timing cover off again.... LOL
Nick
11-17-2008, 09:29 PM
I don't blame you. I wouldn't want to either. All the other crap has to come out first. I hate that.
Kane
11-18-2008, 02:31 AM
I did get the two piece timing cover; so at least the oil pan will stay secure.

But I am going to spend some time on timing when I get back; and hope like hell it fires up.
Nick
11-18-2008, 08:01 AM
That was a wise move.
local boy
11-19-2008, 04:28 PM
Firing order or valve lash wrong...

ALOHA
Kane
11-29-2008, 09:27 AM
Ok - I know when I am outfoxed... I have done the cam timing, and ignition timing and still can't get it to fire up. A few spurts only...

So; who wants a free rum and coke and some BBQ? I need help!!!

Let me know if any of you old school cats would be willing to come over and give me a hand; I will make sure your bellies are happy and you will not be thirsty...
KLee
11-30-2008, 05:06 PM
I'm more of a 346 guy myself.
Kane
11-30-2008, 05:58 PM
Come on man... I'z be needing some aid.

I am smart enough to know when I am not smart enough.
Kane
12-10-2008, 08:08 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qzu2ZIGado
Nick
12-10-2008, 11:10 PM
It's alive!!! So what was wrong with it???
Kane
12-11-2008, 08:37 AM
I don't wanna say - it's embarrasing... ;)

I tightened the Rockers according to the Haynes manual - yeah; with hydraulic lifters and roller rockers - apparently that was the wrong move. hehe Too tight.

BTW - Ron's Performance is the bomb; not too many shops would have a guy cruise to your house and check out what you did wrong.

Yoshi is the man!
Nick
12-11-2008, 12:05 PM
No worry. I've done that before. That's something that can be easily overlooked though.
Kane
12-11-2008, 12:38 PM
No worry. I've done that before. That's something that can be easily overlooked though.


I kick myself now; but the funny thing the symptoms are real similar to timing wrong; or the cam not aligned right... so it was all a big nut roll.

Of course checking the valves first would have been a lot easier than re timing the cam - but the thought never even crossed my mind.