So here's the deal.

I've pulled out the engine of my 81 f100 I6, put the new "premium long block" (included new rods and such) in. I had alot of problems aligning the automatic transmission to the engine, because my reference source failed to mention a few important details, such as making sure that the torque converter is pushed back far enough and lined up with everything behind it. That caused me a couple of more weeks of unwanted work. That is all fixed now. For the past few days i've been putting all the other components back, manifolds, carburator, alternater, water pump, air pump, power steering, etc.

Along the way, I cranked it a few times, just to make sure things were working properly, such as the oil pump and stuff like that. Everything seems fine. The spark plugs are getting sparks. I havn't messed with the timing yet, and I'm sure its pretty off. I thought that when i tried starting it, it should at least fire a little bit, even though the timing is way off.

When I tried starting it, it cranked and cranked and every once in a while there was a spray of something (i think its air and gas) out of the carburator. That's all i get. I dont know what's wrong, unless there's something wrong with the distributer placement or something. I dont know all that much about this part of getting it to work, so i was just going to see if anyone has anything to say about this.

Thanks,
Matt

 

What you have to do to set the initial timing is move the #1 piston to top dead center. This is most easily done with the valve cover off, but you can do it if you put your finger over the spark plug hole and when you feel air coming out, it's on the compression stroke. When it gets to the top of that stroke (feel it with a straw or something soft), leave it. Install the distributor, and when you put the rotor on, it will be pointing at TDC. Take out the dizzy and re-align it as necessary - the wires like to go in one direction.

Once you have it set, wire everything up, and loosen the hold down bolt. Crank the motor. If it doesn't catch, move the dizzy around until it catches. Once it's running, set the timing and you're good to go.

That's what I did when I installed my motor. Worked like a charm.

 

Yeah, sounds like your timing is way off. Long story short, get a Haynes manual. But, the basic procedure is this. Bring engine up to top dead center on compression stroke. Your timing mark on the balancer should line up with the timing marks, and this will be a good time to put a tiny dab of white paint on the mark. You'll thank yourself later for this. Make sure it's compression stroke. With all plugs out, turning by hand, you should feel the air pushing out the plug hole as it approaches. Once at TDC, you want to drop the dizzy in so that the rotor lines up with the #1 tower on the cap. This might take a couple of tries, pulling it out, turning a little and dropping back in. Get it pretty close and it will probably start and run enough to set it with a light. If not, this is where a buddy or a remote starter switch comes in handy. You can turn it back and forth a little bit with the hold-down bolt loose. turning the body against the rotation of the dizzy will advance, the other way will retard. If the engine spins over fast with maybe a hint of firing, trying to start, but not quite doing it, then advance it a little at a time. If it's cranking real slow, and seems to stop and hesitate before turning over some more or pops back through the carb then it's advanced too far. Be careful about pumping a lot of gas to it and advancing the timing too far, as this is a good way to start a fire (Don't ask me how I know this.) BTW, a Pepsi will usually put out a small carburetor fire, but is not the best choice in extinguishers. (Don't ask about that part either). LOL.

 

ok i did the rough timing thing ya'll suggested, and it worked. the truck started for a few seconds and died. after alot of stern looks and bad thoughts, i figured out taht the battery is dead, so tomorrow i'll charge it and see what happens with a charged battery.