oh boy, need help 350 sbc

[jon79flavette]

well I guess this is why they have mechanics!! I replaced and old worn and fouled on cylinder #1 cap and roter, and installed a MSD module 8364 into an existing MSD dist. Well (somehow) I messed up the cardinal rule of wire (proper) labeling. Well it won't fire. I went from cyl #1 on the CAP - pass. front on a hex HEI, to cyl #1 (front drivers cyl) on the motor with a clock-wise rotation of then 8-4-3-6-5-7-2. the firing order of a SBC. it's wrong. After looking at the old cap, my motor guy, that is out of town for the next 4 days!!! has cly #1 marked on the cap at the drivers rear (close to firewall) When I use that as #1 and continue a firing order clockwise rotation, it's still bad. In fact several plug wires won't reach that did before, so I know thats wrong. Anyhow, If someone good with 350 SBC could email your tel number, I would like to call you a discuss this elementry but baffeling situation. I just thought a quick call (hands on) would be more easier than typing back and forth. Thanks Jon

 

[69MyWay]

Here is both for you.

Me 904-298-3017

Here is the answer to the problem.

First, pull spark plug #1 out.

Get a buddy if possible, and stick your finger in the plug hole. Rotate the engine. You can bump start it with the starter (tricky), or put a 5/8" socket on the main crank bolt and rotate it with a large wratchet/pull handle.

The pointer on the timing mark will line up with Top Dead Center on each rotation, but only on every other rotation will it actually be top dead center. You will know this because you will feel the air pressure blow out the spark plug hole as you are coming up on TDC.

Now, line up the balancer on the TDC timing mark.

Pull the distributor cap. Look where the rotor is pointing. That will be firing order #1, no matter where the cap is in relation to the "proper position".

The prefered proper position is to have the rotor pointing at cylinder # 1 (left front headlight) when the balancer is at TDC. So, you can loosen the distributor clamp, lift the distributor up and keep dropping it unitl it will let the rotor rotate in pointing at the left front headlight. You may have to stick a large screw driver into the distributor hole to index the oil pump shaft. What you do is back it up a tad counter clockwise as the shaft will have to engage a tad counter clockwise to slip on the cam gear and fall into the right place.

Now, after you have that lined up. Follow your firing order around the cap in the clockwise position and badda bing, badda boom, you should be close enough to crank her up and then set the timing with a light.

 

[jon79flavette]

Thanks chris, as I said on the phone, The distribitor was never pulled, so I was not even attempting to set the distribitor. I did something wrong. You were right, it was just best to start from scratch, pull the distribitor, got the proper setting for #1, then around we go. all good after tweakin it and throwing a light on it. Thanks, I even made a run over the bridge to the ocean! I did not know these cars could be fun !! Actully just pleased to get it in the garage, thanks again, simple things can seem so difficult when you get P.O.ed and stop thinking logically. Jon

 

[69MyWay]

No problem. I have been there, and I could tell you were a little stressed out. Sometimes just taking a fresh look can make all the difference.

Glad it worked out!

Chris

 

[sscam69]

Yeah Chris thanks

I had a problem with the firing right now.

Actually I left the dist. clamp loose, some things were pending, and I hadn't worked on the car for over two weeks. So needles to say I forgot all about it. I hooked up an aftermarket tach, brought the revs up to 3 grand to check the descrepencie between the stock and aftermarket the "bada boom" backfire and didn't want to start. It turns out the dist. jumped out of the gear.


So I pulled all the plugs off the HEI and turned by hand the crank and brought the balancer to TDC. Hooked it all up again and didn't want to fire.:confused I didn't it all over again and still no go.

What I forgot ,and what you reminded me with this post , was to check if it was on the compression or exhaust stroke.

Thanks Chris

Frank

 

[sscam69]

Yup that was it!

Fired right up.

Then I hooked up the electric fans through the fuse box and blew the 20 A fuse. Went and bought some cool fuses. When they blow they light up so you know which one went south!

I replaced all the old fuses and got my interior lights to come back on. I didn't know I had blown the fuse.

Went for a cruise and killed a Porsche, check the Road kill for the scoop!

Frank