Ok, I can really use everybodys expertise right now. I replaced my 351M with a used 400. I did all the work myself and added brand new plugs, wires, cap and rotor, fuel pump, distributor, battery at the same time. My starter works good (tested by autozone, but they said it was drawing a little more power than it should, but that it shouldn't be a big deal). My alternator worked fine with the old engine too. The problem is when I try to start it, sometimes it will turn over and sometimes it won't. When it does the starter turns over alot slower than it should and engine wont fire. Like I said the battery is brand new. When it wont turn over I can hear a clicking sound coming from the distributor. Not real loud but you can hear it if your standing in front of the truck with the hood open. Maybe my distributor is in there wrong? Or some other electrical problem? I'm stumped and would really appreciate some opinions on what to check. Thanks.

 

I would pull the distributor and then see how it turns over. If it is better then you know it is the way the distributor gear is butting up to the cam gear(maybe the distributor is not down all the way) or it is the oil pump. You can test the oil pump by putting a small socket on the end of an extension and turning the oil pump drive shaft through the hole were the distributor was. Be VERY CAREFULL if you drop the socket down there you just created alot more work for yourself. If you look good there, I wouls say the starter is the culprit.

 

Nick,

I am not en expert on engines, but I will try. I assume that you have checked all of your electrical connections (like battery) to ensure that they are clean and tight?

How did you install the distributor? Did you get cylinder #1 to TDC with both valves closed? It is possible to get cylinder #1 at TDC and have one of the valves open. This would mean that the distributor is 180 degress out of phase.

Slowly turn the motor over by hand (using the harmonic balancer bolt) with your finger in the spark plug hole until you feel pressure. Once the pressure stops you should be at TDC.

Then, install the distributor such that the rotor will point at the #1 cylinder position on the cap.

Next, button everything back up and check for spark when cranking the engine with the key. If the dist. was 180 degrees out you should find it will crank over faster now.

You may have to move the dist. back and forth while cranking unitl it fires in case you installed the distributor off by one tooth. Also, is the carb OK? Is the choke plate closed? It will start alot easier for the first time with the choke on.

These are the basics off the top of my head, Report back and give us a little more info and we can help more.

-Brents

 

Nick,
Is your battery grounded to the block or the frame? Ground it to the block. Secondly, insure that you have a ground strap from the block to the body. This can effect starter performance and is a common oversight during an engine swap. If your distributor is clicking, your either completely wrong, or your distributor isn't seated all the way down. I've never heard of such a thing and couldn't make an excuse for why that could happen?
Thirdly, Has your used motor sat long? If so, remove your spark plugs, spray some wd-40 in each cylinder and crank the motor over without plugs. This will help lube the top end and get some oil pumped through the motor. Reinstall plugs and start the process over.
Good Luck, Have Fun,
KingFisher

 

One more thing to check. Make sure the distributor gear pin hasn't broken. Hold the distributor shaft and try to turn the gear (it shouldn't turn). I found that one out the hard way.

 

Yep, you guys were right, my distributor was not seated all the way down. I just spent all morning trying to get it all the way down with no luck. To reply to one post, yes my terminals are clean and tight, my block is grounded to the body and my negative cable is grounded to the block. So when the distributor is all the way in it should turn over faster? I dont know why I'm having such a hard time getting it to seat all the way in. Just to clarify, I should put my finger in the #1 spark plug hole with the other plugs all in, and turn the engine over by hand until I feel pressure build up and the distributor should drop in. Is this all I should have to do? This is the first time I've had to put a distributor in so I can use all the tips I can get. Thanks everyone. Almost forgot, it is turning over everytime now. I dont know why it wasnt before.

 

The reason the distributor will not go all the way down is because it is not lining up with the oil pump drive shaft. Get a nut driver and turn the oil pump drive shaft till it lines up with the distributor.

Reggie

 

Nick,
Look at the bottom of your distributor. If there is any crap in the hex hole it won't slide onto the oil pump drive shaft. If I HAVE a REPETIVE PROBLEM TRYING TO GET THE DISTRIBUTOR DOWN, I'll get an 8mm socket on the end of an extension, I'll put a piece of electrical tape on the end of the extension so the socket is forced onto it and won't fall off. Then turn the oil pump driveshaft just a little and try to install the distributor again. Take your time and have some patience you'll get it right eventually and after that you'll be an expert.
Good luck, Have Fun,
KingFisher

 

Nick before you drop the distributor in you have to make sure the rotor is pointing close to where it should be otherwise you may have to pull it out again. If I were you I would (1)pull the disributor completely out. (2) turn your engine over to verrify it turns over properly. (3)pull the #1 spark plug out and set it aside. (4) Locate your timing marks on your harmonic balancer looking specifically for 0 Degrees and locate the pointer bolted on the engine (5) With the distributor still out have an assistant bump the engine over while your finger is over the #1 spark plug hole. You will feel pressure on you finger as it comes up to TDC(0 degrees). Don't be fooled though because you will hit 0 degrees on you pointer once with hardly any compression and once with good compression. When you feel good compression as your assistant slowly bumps over the motor, look for your timing mark and stop turning it over with the key and put a socket(I think it is a 15/16")with an extension on the pulley and finish turning over by hand until you line your pointer up with 0 degress. Your engine is now at top dead center. (6) Now look at your distributor cap and note the position of the #1 wire the same wire that goes to the plug you have out. That is where you want the rotor to be pointing when you have the distributor in. (7) Next pick up your distributor and point the rotor in the direction of where the #1 plug would be in the cap and lower the distributor into place. You will find as you lower the distributor into place that the rotor is going to turn as it meshes with the cam gear, so what you will have to do is compensate for that by lifting the distributor back out and turning the rotor a little past where you want it so by the time it is down all the way you are lined up correctly. Thats basically it. It took me longer to type this then it probably will for you to do the work, but also I'm a better mechanic than typist! Oh yea don't forget to put your spark plug back in! Good Luck

 

Steve,

You get an A+++++ for that description of PROPERLY explaining, How to install a Distributor.
Clap, Clap,Clap!

Way to go !

If he doesn't understand what you said,he can buy you and your
Sidekick a air plane ticket so you can go do it.
*grin*


Dennis

I'm the guy with all of the GIFS and I'm not afraid of using them !


78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles

 

Ok now I know what exactly to do. Thanks for the detailed answer Steve and to everyone else too. I want to go work on it right now, but I'm taking the day off ( its my birthday). So I'll let you know how it went tomorrow.