Trouble starting rebuilt stroker

[gedmeyer]

HELP!?! Today was supposed to be the big day and I can't get her to fire! Everything turns over, I've got oil pressure, but I can't get any fire. Occasionally I'll get a little pop from the carb, but nothing down low. I went back and made sure the plug wires are hooked up correctly and the distriubtor is seated properly. Also, I verified spark and gas. Could this be a carb issue? :confused

depressed and anxious...
-tim

 

[Blue82]

I dont know why but every time I put in a distributor, it goes in 180 degrees out. Make sure you are at top dead center on the compression stroke and set the distributor on wire 1. If you get popping out of the carb then lift the distributor and install it 180 degrees from where you were. It will only go in two ways because of the slot on the oil pump shaft so turn it around.

Other than being WAY out of proper timing this should take care of it. The popping usually means you are firing a cylinder while the intake valve is open.

 

[gedmeyer]

Knowing that bad distributor setup is usually to blame, I went back through the procedure. It's definitely on the compression stroke for #1 (exhaust valve opens after the rotor passes the #1 contact). I'm getting sparks too. It does not run with the distributor harness disconnected either (EST bypass).

Could the fact that non of the A.I.R. pump is connected? I wouldn't think that would effect anything. I'm not getting any firing at all.

-tim

p.s. my battery is probably going to hate me after all of this cranking.

 

[Robin7TFour]

Tim , a little spritzer of brakeclean or carb cleaner in the carb will veryify if the fuel system is working. then move on to the spark. make sure the spark is strong. if you have both then it can only be a timing problem. rotate the distributor while someone turns the motor over.just keep your face away from the carb. flashbacks tend to remove eyebrows.
you'll get it running soon, be patient .think things thru

good luck

Robin
FUEL+IGNITION+COMPRESSION(TIMING) = ENGINE MAKES BOOM!

 

[gedmeyer]

I just went back and verified that fuel is OK. I've cranked it through a whole range of distributor positions. The closest I get to fire of any kind is when it gets too far advanced and pops in the carb.

 

[jz7p6t]

99 out of 100 times it's the distributor or wires

I've been at this for quite awhile (either myself or one of my friends has made these mistakes more than once) and it definitely sounds like you don't have the ignition timing correct. The popping the carb is usually the giveaway. Yeah, I know you've checked it but check everything again...
1) Check the Firing Order order for the Spark Plug Wires. Even if you already checked it, check it again. Make sure you've got them in the right order and the right rotation.
2) Double, Triple Check that the Distributor is phased right. If in doubt or it still won't start, install it 180 degrees from where it is now.
3) Put a Spark checker of some kind on Plug #1 and see if it is firing when it is supposed to be.

Good luck and let me know what it was. I've only been wrong once and that was the one time when I thought I was wrong but wasn't (just kidding).