New thread for new thought about my engine

[Anonymous]

I had an education this weekend. I replaced the distributor on my Pontiac which has the same firing order as my Chevy. So when I put the cap on, I wired it like my Chevy. Couldn't get it started for a while. About 1:00 a.m. I figured out that the Chevy distributor tuns CW and the Pontiac turns CCW.

 

[Anonymous]

CLOGGED FUEL LINE?

 

[MustangSix]

Okay guys here's the deal. As of yesterday my Mustang will now crank! I had to replace the starter relay and buy a new battery BUT it will not turn over.

I'm a little confused. Are you saying the engine will not spin at all, or are you saying that it spins but does not fire?

Engine "cranking" and "turning over" to me means the same thing - that the starter is engaging and the engine is turning under power of the starter. All mechanical systems are operating.

Engine "no start" or "not firing" to me means that the engine is cranking, i.e., turning over via the starter, but will not fire. Is that what you mean by "turn over"?

If the engine is turning, you need four things to get fire: Air, Fuel, Compression, and Spark. They have to happen in the right timing sequence.

First, check for fuel. look into the carb, pump the throttle, and make sure there is a jet of fuel coming out. Then look to see tht the throttle blade is slightly cracked open at idle. If not, open slightly with the idle speed adjustment (not the mixture screw). That takes care of fuel and air.

Second, check for spark. You seem to have done that already. The ignition system makes sparks. Does it make sparks when the engine cranks? Pull the coil wire from the distributor and check it as it turns. CAREFUL!!

Third, do a compression check. Make sure you have good even compression on all cylinders. Pull all the plugs, disconnect ignition, insert gauge, crank engine, and note the readings. They should be within 10% of each other.

If al the above check out, then time it. Put your thumb or a cork or something in #1 and spin the engine until it pops out. That's the compression stroke. Set the timing mark so that it is lined up with roughly 8-10 degrees on the balancer. The rotor should be pointed at #1 plug wire location. Now check the firing order. You already know where #1 is because the rotor is pointed at it. Go from there. The plug wires should be connected 1-5-3-6-2-4 in a clockwise pattern.

Reinstall all the plugs. If all is good, it should start when the engine spins.

 

[61Futura]

I got lost in the "language barrier" also. I hope the mention of no coolant installed meant you put in straight water and just no anti-freeze. I first took it to mean no water or anti-freeze. And then, did the all new ignition mean a new distributor and coil also? And what was that about tapping the distributor to get spark? I'm lost.

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

Okay, apparently I have a terminology problem on this board. Anyway.

IT'S WORKING!

Now, when I said it wouldn't crank or turn over I meant that I was not getting detonation in the cylinders. In my case, I was getting voltage all the way to the spark plugs but the gas/air mixture was not firing (hope that makes sense ).

I checked and recheck the timing but was almost positive that it was set correctly. I guess I was wrong.

Last night I checked everything one more time. I even studied the magnetic (terminology again) pickup in the distributor and it's relationship of the spark release to the spark plugs. Anyway, to make a very long story short (or at least the rest of the story shorter), my neighbor came over and said that I had way to much advance! I was trying to light the wrong cylinder that's how much advance I had dialed into the distributor.

So, my problem seems to be over. Thank God! Now I can finally get the car back on the road.

I know many of you have helped me these past 18 months or so and have even put up with my ranting and raving at times, but thanks! You guys are really great!


-Chris

P.S. 61Futura, I meant no anit-freeze, just water when I said no coolant. Sorry. I'm alittle slow but not that slow.

 

[Anonymous]

Dude that sounds like what my car did. the timing needed to be decreased by like 20 deg., pretty crazy, but i think that was my problem.

HEHE same thing i had then eh?