Well it cranked but didn't start...

[barishiman]

So today was the day I was waiting for. I fastened all my lines, added all the necessary fluids, primed the oil pump, fuel pump and carb. Just hearing the engine crank almost brought tears to my eyes. However I couldn't get the car started. I did get a wake up call when the engine tried to fire. I about jumped out of the car. I didn't expect to be that loud with just the header on. Anyways back to my problem, the engine won't start. Here's a run down of what I got:

a. Pertronix Ignitor II w/ flamerthrower II ignition coil
b. Holley 5200 on Clifford adapter
c. 3 row raditor w/ flex fan
d. 68 dizzy
e. 66 block and head .030 over pistons, redone head with 1.75 intake valves
f. new oil pump
g. 7mm wires (the 8mm wouldn't fit into the dizzy cap, anybody got ideas?)
h. FSPP Pacemaker header

besides the 8mm wires not fitting and one wire fired on the alternator being one of the many disapointments of my day, the bloody engine won't start. I did what BIGREDRASA (tony) told me to do on the dizzy but I don't think it worked:

Set the rotor at #1. Pull the dizzy out until you can turn the rotor one tooth counterclockwise one tooth. Reinsert the dizzy, crank engine to suck it in and line up the oil pump drive, then set the static timing. static timing is when you set the pointer at the proper mark, then set the rotor to point at #1.

What am I doing wrong? I had the dizzy vacuum pointing toward the shock tower. I think that the timing is way off. When I installed the Pertronix unit, it was rubbing against the green nylon tape on the thing that slides down the rotor shaft. Is that normal? Is there a way to install the 68 dizzy properly so I can get the engine running? I'm so close. I'm sure you guys can solve my problem.

Thanks again!

Andrew

 

[AzCoupe]

Sounds like you may have the dizzy 180 out. Make sure it points to #1 when on the compression stroke, not the exhaust stroke. Remember, the crank turns twice for one revolution of the cam/dizzy.

 

[addo]

There should be no friction on the Pertronix. If you cannot adjust to clearance adequately (is it 30 thou?) you may not have the correct unit. Steve is the Pertronix guru.

As to the timing being 180° out, this is easy to check 100% with the valve cover off. The correct point for #1 is when both rockers are fully up and the balancer is at 12° or so BTDC. As I said to Jimbo, sometimes with geared parts that do not "know" each others' mesh, engaging the first time is difficult.

With the dizzy, I line the rotor up with the nominal #1 possy (as indicated on the cap), and then slip it into the motor, wiggling the balancer either way to get it to slip in. There are six flats on the oil pump, so you can expect to move up to 30° from where you start... Sometimes "clocking" the oil pump shaft to a better position may be of assistance if it seems way out to start with.

In order, set your carb screws to the "initial" settings. Ground the coil lead and crank the motor, checking for fuel spurts with the line off the carb. When that's OK, check the spark off the coil lead for intensity. Then verify timing. 7mm leads may be the only ones that fit the old type cap.

Good luck! (Or should that be "Break a leg"? )

Adam.

 

[barishiman]

I know I bought the correct pertronix unit and installed it where the points go. I couldn't get it to fit anywhere else where I could screw it down. I'm up this morning so here's the game plan before Nascar comes on:

1. I'll check piston #1 on TDC.
2. Pull the dizzy and check pertronix unit one more time.
3. Re-insert dizzy with #1 TDC.

I hope this works. If not, I'll be back later today.

Thanks guys!
Andrew

 

[barishiman]

UPDATE:

Still having problems. I put the #1 piston about 12° TDC, inserted the dizzy with the rotor facing #1 on the cap. Went to start it and getting the same thing. It keeps backfiring and smoke is puffing from the carb. What do I do?

I've thought about these ideas:
a. put in the 65 dizzy with Pertronix and run it that way
b. open the choke all the way, i've had it about half way
c. take the day off and watch Nascar

Andrew

 

[Anonymous]

I would start by checking everything...

Trace your wires... make sure they are not crossed.
Check you coil wiring and Petronix wiring and make sure it is OK.
Then pull each plug and verify spark one at a time.

Now back to the petronix.
It should have a plastic feeler gauge to set what was once dwell. You MUST have that spacing... I still feel this is the most likely source of your trouble. If things are tight in there, and the unit does not fundtion properly you could get all sorts of weird firing trouble. (Your dizzy sounds fine.)

Also make sure your wiring is correct... (I wonder about that Fried alternator wire?)

Sometimes it is the easiest thing... try it with the choke about half way.. it is plenty warm and humid here to fire without it.

And yes...
Open headers will be loud enough you will not be able to talk over it. (I love that sound... it is very Godlike!) - You should have seen the smile on my face yesterday just priming the oil system... seeing that clean new oil bubble up through the rockers was great.... I cannot wait to actually fire this thing.

 

[AzCoupe]

You keep saying that you set the #1 cylinder to TDC

1. I'll check piston #1 on TDC.
2. Pull the dizzy and check pertronix unit one more time.
3. Re-insert dizzy with #1 TDC.

Still having problems. I put the #1 piston about 12° TDC, inserted the dizzy with the rotor facing #1 on the cap.

But you fail to mention if you are doing this on the compression stroke. You may have it to #1TDC, but on the exhaust stroke (180 degress out). Which will cause it to backfire.

 

[MandarinaRacing]

Andrew, here's what I did. Remove the #1 sparkplug, place your thumb over the sparkplug hole. Turn the engine by hand, slowly, when you feel air rushing out of the sparplug hole you are on the compression stroke. Continue rotating until the timing marks on the damper are aligned with the ones on the block. Point the rotor to the #1 tower position. Once the distributor is in, advance the timing a bit ( can't remember if it's counterclockwise).

Also the gap on the Pertronix is 0.030"

Your distributor is definately 180 degrees off.

Hope this helps

Alex