Trying to start the new engine today. No luck so far. Turns over fine, but won't "catch".

I made sure I have 30 psi of oil pressure. I also confirmed that the rotor is pointed to the #1 cylinder on the compression stroke by checking the timing mark and the rocker arm position (relaxed). Getting a strong squirt of fuel from the carb.

I DO have a Pertronix conversion that's been fine for several years (hoping it hasn't picked NOW to go south). I'm guessing this is an electrical issue, as in maybe I crossed a wire or two.

There is a green and a blue wire going to the back of the (new) alternator. I've got the blue wire at the 12:00 position, and the green and the 8-9:00 position. Did I remember this correctly? Red wire from the Pertronix hooked to the positive side of the coil, black to the negative side. The other coil connections stayed the same as before the build.

Engine ran fine before the rebuild, aside from the spun #1 bearing. All new parts with the rebuild, including Accel plug wires, with the exception of the cap, rotor, and coil (they were fairly new before the rebuild).

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

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vm

OK, so you've got fuel, air, compression and lubrication.
Well...didjya check for spark?
Doesn't matter, either which way works.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

What's the easiest way to check for spark (I'm doing this by myself)? I know they sell little light that fits onto the spark plug boot — do I need to buy one, or is there a cheaper (safe) way (in case I get my wife involved)? Thanks!

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vm

Getting the wife to hold the coil wire will lose you certain priviledges. Getting her to turn the key while you hold the coil wire ist more better.
I hold the end of the wire close to the head while cranking,,,,,not your head silly!,,,the engines...you should see a nice fat blue spark...

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Checked for spark. It was orange, not blue, but it was there. Could that indicate a weak spark?

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vm

Probably fine—spark colour is not really reliable unless you have a more precise spark tester than "hold the wire near a ground".

I think I would recheck your timing. It is so easy to get it a tooth or two off and still have it look right!

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Okay, listen to this: waaaay back, when I installed the Pertronix, it ran okay, but never great. A few years later, I had it in the shop for something else, amd had them check everything out to see why it didn't run as well as I thought it should. The verdict? The mechanic said the distributor was "1 tooth off". Needless to say, it ran GREAT afterwards.

This points to the chance that I've done the same thing. This time around, though, I've pulled and stabbed the distributor several times just to make sure. Every time I've done so, it's either WAY off, or in exactly the same place. So, am I missing something?

Also, I broke down and bought a spark checker at the 'zone (wife isn't home yet, and I'm trying desperately to get this thing started tonight, while the weather holds). That's how I checked it, just in case that matters. I'll try and stab the dist. again while I wait for another response.

And thanks guys.

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vm

So I've been restabing the dis., trying to start, etc. for the last few minutes. I've graduated to a "poof" out the tailpipe (sounds the like the classic backfire through the carb). Good, or bad?

The battery is running low — I'm gonna jump it and give it some juice before I try any more, but that'll give you guys some time to reply. And thanks again.

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vm

The latest: I definately get sporadic "poofs" out the tailpipe when trying to start and giving it some gas (guess it happens to all of use as we age...). That's the closest thing to starting I've gotten all day.

Does this still sound like one tooth off?

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vm

It sound like you could be 180 degresss off. I know you said you checked it but it won't hurt to try it.

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67Cuda,FAST EZEFI,340cu,CR=10.25,RollerCam&Rocker (XR268HR,#20-810-9)(#1622-16)(EddyRPM#60779,#7576), (MSD6AL,#6425) A904, GearVendorsOD, 8 1/4,3.55:1, ClassicAir

That sounds like the problem. Im Justing guesing but i would redo or check timeing. Thanks Ron Parker











Bagels On Juice Im On Boost

You could always put the points back in the distributor.....................

(mine are in the trunk, just in case)

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

I don't think you're 180° off. If you were, you'd be getting spitback out the carburetor. But the fact it's now trying to fire means you're moving in the right direction with your timing adjustments. Try moving it another tooth in the direction you've already moved it and see what happens. Be systematic about this, don't just yank-and-twist-and-plop. Put the rotor at "12 noon" or 3:00 position, then go and try to start it, and if you get pops and poofs, put it back at 12:00 or 3:00, and move it a tooth in one direction (your choice). Put the cap back on, try it again. If you get more pops and poofs and tries to fire, then put it back at 12:00 or 3:00 again and move it another tooth in the same direction as you did before, and try it again. Once it starts and runs, use a timing light to get it the rest of the way right. You may find you have to go an alarming number of teeth before it starts and runs.

On the other hand, if you move it a tooth and it gets worse (fewer pops and poofs out the exhaust, maybe some spitback out the carb) then go back to 12:00 or 3:00 and move it a tooth at a time the other direction.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

IT'S ALIIIIIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've stabbed so many times I feel I've endured a prison riot, but it finally started!!!!!

The 20 minute cam break-in was the longest 20 minutes of my life (and I'm sure my neighbors would agree!

She wouldn't idle afterwards, but I'm assuing that's just tuning. Enough for today. Tomorrow, I'll change the oil, tweak the timing, get her hot and adjust the valves. Then just maybe take her out for a spin before the next cold front.

Thanks ever so much for everyone's help throughout the nearly six months it took to get me from start to finish. I owe you guys!

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vm

The Slanted Family. Thanks Ron Parker











Were Kookie And Kreepy Were Spookie And Freakie Were The Slanted Family