390 finally started!
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From: Eureka, Ca.
390 finally started!
The Mighty 3ninety ROARS for the first time!
I finally got it to start. But there was so much smoke and fumes I could not stay in the garage. Is this normal for a fresh engine? It is still hard to get started bvut once it is going it sounds AWESOME! There isn't anyone around right now to set the timing so that may be why it is so hard to start. It blew flames out the carb once while trying to start it, Too much or too little timing?
I finally got it to start. But there was so much smoke and fumes I could not stay in the garage. Is this normal for a fresh engine? It is still hard to get started bvut once it is going it sounds AWESOME! There isn't anyone around right now to set the timing so that may be why it is so hard to start. It blew flames out the carb once while trying to start it, Too much or too little timing?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
The smoke could be caused by assembly lubricants, or oil as the rings seat. Or it could be a carb set too rich.
I'd just go get a timing light, and set it. They shouldn't be any more than $30.
What carb do you have on it?
I'd just go get a timing light, and set it. They shouldn't be any more than $30.
What carb do you have on it?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
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From: Missouri
Between the paint, lubricants on the pistons and cylinder walls and gas in the carb it will burn your eyes. If a rebuilt engine doesn't smoke when you start it for the first time you did something wrong.
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From: Eureka, Ca.
I have a Edelbrock Performer 750cfm.
Perf RPM intade
Perf RPM heads
Perf RPM cam
TRW forged pistons
stock DuraSpark ignition
O.K. now it won't start at all. it tries but only sputters. I exchanged the carb for a new one still won't start.
I am getting good spark. At least it shocked the hell out of me when I checked for it. Plenty of feul also. I am thinking of towing it to a local shop and letting them have at it. I may have the cam off by a ttooth. Not sure. right now I am pretty disappointed.
Perf RPM intade
Perf RPM heads
Perf RPM cam
TRW forged pistons
stock DuraSpark ignition
O.K. now it won't start at all. it tries but only sputters. I exchanged the carb for a new one still won't start.
I am getting good spark. At least it shocked the hell out of me when I checked for it. Plenty of feul also. I am thinking of towing it to a local shop and letting them have at it. I may have the cam off by a ttooth. Not sure. right now I am pretty disappointed.
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Posting Guru
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From: Eureka, Ca.
it is a electronic ignition, 3 wires coming out of the dist. Does it matter? All I need it to do is trigger the MSD 6AL when I get it.
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Littleton, CO
Did you double check to make sure you were initally timed correct, ie, the cylinder number one at TDC (both valves closed) and the rotor pionting to the #1 spot on the distributor. Could be that you have it 180 degrees off. I would double check that first, before heading to the shop.
I would like to hear more about this Ford SSI. I would figure there is a Duraspark set up on that engine as the three wire lead is common. Do you have it pluged to a grey box? Was that the dist which was on the motor before tear-down?
We'll get it --Mike
I would like to hear more about this Ford SSI. I would figure there is a Duraspark set up on that engine as the three wire lead is common. Do you have it pluged to a grey box? Was that the dist which was on the motor before tear-down?
We'll get it --Mike
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From: Eureka, Ca.
I checked that. It is the same dist as before. The motor was running when it came out. I didn't change any wiring or ignition parts. I am checking the cam timing today. as some of you know I am blind and have to rely on others for some parts of the rebuild. such as making sure the cam gears were properly aligned. Some tines they know what to do and sometimes they don't. Stay tuned for the further "Adventures of a Blind Man".
Elder User
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The SSI (Solid State Igniton) was Ford's first electronic ignition and they used from 74 to 76 I believe (pickups didn't get electronic till 75). All their electronic ignitons are similar in appearance (SSI, Duraspark 1 2 and 3).
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
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From: south louisiana
Even if the cam timing was off by a tooth, it would still run fine. Sounds more to me like the ignition timing was retarded when he initially fired it up. Smoke and eccessive exhaust fumes are normal for a first time startup. As for the water in the oil, I would suspect that the intake isn't fittin correctly. This may be due to improperly installed gaskets or a misalignment between the intake and heads. That's a new one to me about the SSI, I always thought the 74-76 FE's were Duraspark, and the mid 60's 427's had the SSI ignition.
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From: Eureka, Ca.
the thick manifold gaskets at the front and rear of the manifold were keepign it from seating properly. My machinist told me he never uses them. He recommended useing hi temp sealant instead.