Cascade Crew

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Tue May 30, 2006 10:47 pm Post subject: Cranks, Doesn't fire *roll eyes*

WARNING: This is a long-rant-slash-WTF-did-I-do-wrong-here type post.I'd like to have this problem tackled before friday so I can drive the car to Cows.

Ok, I hooked up the new Jet Performance Stage 1 Carb today and Summit HEI distributor (stock curve).

CAREFULLY followed the instructions for the distributor/Coil install, seemed to go in ok. Since I didn't have a reference point for which way the vaccum diaphram should be pointing, I used the passenger strut tower as a reference, the diaphram now points towards it (is this correct?). Followed the firing order from there.

Got the carburator all connected up. Stole some Vaccum line off the berlinetta and connected everything. Plugged two extra vaccum nipples on the carb that weren't being used. Had a leak from the fuel filter, but nothing some teflon tape and getting the fitting ALL THE WAY TIGHT, didn't solve.

Ok........moment of truth.......shot a couple bursts of carb cleaner down each venturi, went in and cranked her over. Would not fire and had a couple backfires out the carburator. Fed it some more gas, tried it again. Same thing.

Tried both leaning out and turning rich the mixture adjustment screws. Still the same problem. Thought about adjusting the Idle air bleed screws inside the carb, but didn't see how it would help. Tried the choke at full closed, 1/2 open and full open. Still the same thing. Got close a couple times and it "hiccupped" and nearly fired.

Double checked the firing order again and double checked plug wires to make sure they were on correctly. Took #1's wire off and had my brother watch it to make sure it sparked when I cranked it over. It did.

Also while I had the wire off I took #1's spark plug off and cleaned it. It had some carbon buildup, so I'd have to assume that the rest do too. Should I just invest in a new set of spark plugs? At the very least, it'll improve mileage in the thing.

I kind of second guessed myself thinking maybe I put the distributor in 180 degrees off..... Vaccum advance I KNOW is on correct (passenger side)

I don't think spark is my problem, I think its something Air or Fuel related. Didn't have a chance to take a vaccum gauge to anything, but will tomorrow.

In an unrelated story, my thermostat housing gasket has a hole in it. #$%^&*

At least I caught it now. I'm just gonna replace the whole Thermostat housing, so I can get rid of the ugly vaccum junction and Coolent temp sensor sticking out of it.

Anything I missed? Anyone available to have a look at it? I'm stumped.

rjmcgee · The Hammer Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 2328

Did you make note of where the rotor was pointing on the old distributor and then install this one the same. Sounds like timing is off, might be a good time to stop adjusting the carb. Hook up a timing light, it will work when cranking the engine over or at least turn the dissy a bit and try it.

aaron_sK · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 6:00 am Post subject:

Make sure you have a decent battery before checking your timing while cranking, though. I killed an old battery in a Mopar smallblock doing that.

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 9:51 am Post subject:

The battery is practically brand new.

Rod,

my old distributor was computer controled and didn't have a vaccum diaphram for reference. Practically every chevy small block, I"ve seen has the vaccuum diaphram pointing towards the passenger side at some angle.

Tony is bringing a timing light and vaccum gauge, so we'll give it a try today.

TecherB · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 10:33 am Post subject:

You need to make shure while at tdc compression#1 cylnder that the roter poilnts to the #1 cylnder on the cap which should be atached to the #1 cylnder wire which should go to #1 cylnder.

if you are gitting it to backfire through the carb it is most likely timeing not the carb.

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 11:27 am Post subject:

Hmm.........

Kind of thinking of taking the distributor back out and putting it back in.....

should I rotate the motor so #1 is a TDC and then put it back in?

TecherB · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 11:31 am Post subject:

yes and place the roter so it points to #1 on the cap.

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 11:33 am Post subject:

*nod*

I'll do it and get back here with the results.

TecherB · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 11:35 am Post subject:

make shure it is the compression stroke becaus if you set it on tdc exhaust it will be 180 off.

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 12:07 pm Post subject:

Rotor is aligned with # 1, Motor is at TDC. Wires go to correct firing order.

doesn't backfire anymore, but still does not run.

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 12:56 pm Post subject:

ok.......took all the spark plugs out, cleaned them put them back in

put the orginal wires that came with the car back on...took the distributor out and rotated the motor a coupla times...put the distributor back in......did what Bartimus Maximus reccomended.......

IT FIRED! and ran for about 5 seconds and stalled (couple vaccum lines not connected

We'll try this again.......with vaccum hose.....test my vaccum and adjust idle.