Installed new engine components--won't start!
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 207
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From: Burkburnett, Texas
Installed new engine components--won't start!
I installed a edelbrock manifold, edelbrock carb, and a new distributor in my son's truck (351W). It is getting both spark and fuel, but still won't start. I removed the #1 spark plug and cranked it over by hand until we felt compression in the number 1 cylinder, then moved the harmonic balancer over to 0 degrees. I made sure that the rotor lined up with the number 1 spark plug wire, and made sure that the firing order was correct. It turns over fine, but will not fire up! I wants to spit a little out of the top of the carburetor; do you guys think I have the distributor off a tooth or so? I'm getting pretty frustrated--and could use some help!
vernon
vernon
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 863
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From: Grain Valley Mo.
Sounds like your doing everything right but, it reminds me of what I did one time. I was rewiring the dizzy cap, started with no.1 of coarse but then proceded backwards. I didn't relize the rotor went counter clockwise. 
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,730
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From: Waynesville, OH
Yup, the 180 degree problem has bitten me a number of times. Best way to be sure is to take off the #1 side valve cover and watch the valves to make sure you are TDC on the firing stroke, not the exhaust/intake stroke. Remember, that old crank goes around twice for every revolution of the cam. Good luck with the engine!
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,777
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From: Kalispell, MT
One tooth will keep it from firing. I recently did a 302 and went thru the same thing. Your pointer should be a couple degrees to the right of '0' on the h-balancer at TDC. Otherwise do what the guys said.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Burkburnett, Texas
Wow--
Thanks for all the info and help. I have my son helping me with this, so I might be 180 degrees off. He says he can feel pressure coming out of the plug hole, but it could be on the wrong stroke. I am sure that the wires are in the correct order, because the truck ran pretty good before we started. I will have a chance to work on it again this afternoon. I appreciate all the advice!
vernon
Thanks for all the info and help. I have my son helping me with this, so I might be 180 degrees off. He says he can feel pressure coming out of the plug hole, but it could be on the wrong stroke. I am sure that the wires are in the correct order, because the truck ran pretty good before we started. I will have a chance to work on it again this afternoon. I appreciate all the advice!
vernon
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From: MOYOCK NC
you didnt say if you changed the cam did you? if ya did you might want to check your firing order I know that camshafts that fit 302 will also fit the 351 BUT HAVE A DIFFERENT firing order it will be a 302 firing order i would check the old manifold for the proper firing order and if you did change the cam the paper work with it should give you the proper firing order
just my .02$
gee ooh
just my .02$
gee ooh