Really Really need help with car not starting

red66er · Jun 22, 2010

Hey everyone,

Well I'm just about ready to give up on this car. I've tried for 2 weeks to get it to start and it just won't. Let me give you some facts.

It's a 1966 coupe with a 289.
New pertronix flamethrower coil and distributor
Edelbrock top end RPM intake, heads and roller cam
New holley carb.

I have done all the usual things such as checking spark on each plug.
Used the finger method to find TDC and verified it by taking off valve cover and checking rocker position.
Checked the vacuum hoses and fuel is getting to the engine.
I have gotten a few backfires out of the carb but other than that nothing.

This is beyond frustrating. I read other posts where people have similar issues but eventually they say theirs starts.

The only other thing to add is that when I pull the plugs they are wet with gas.

What am I missing here?

rsweld · Jun 22, 2010

sounds like maybe timing is off. put the #1 piston at TDC then pull off the Distibutor Cap lifting it straight up (do not remove the wires and verify that the rotor is pointing at #1 Plug Wire. If you just put a new distributor in could be you got the wires mixed up on the cap.

red66er · Jun 22, 2010

Hey Rsweld,

I checked many many times to make sure that the wires are all set correctly on the distributor. I keep thinking it's a timing thing too but I just can't seem to get it. I done the TDC thing probably 5 or 6 times just to make sure I am in the same place each time.

I also have checked many times to make sure that the number one wire is over the rotor pointer.

EP429 · Jun 22, 2010

have you pulled wires to see if you're getting any spark at all?

red66er · Jun 22, 2010

yup, all are getting spark. I pulled every single plug to make sure they were all getting spark.
As I said in my original post, they are actually wet with gas like they are not firing.

Cobra ssc · Jun 22, 2010

Pull the distributor and re-install it 180 degrees. Sounds like you could have it at the wrong TDC.

EP429 · Jun 22, 2010

Sounds right on. Which part of Austin are you located in SSC? I'm just north in Cedar Park

red66er · Jun 22, 2010

Hey Cobra SSC,

Tried that and got a huge backfire out the exhaust that literally deafened me for about 10 minutes.

Actually one question about that. When you take the cap off and replace it 180 degrees, you are also talking about moving the number 1 post on the distributor 180 degrees, right? I know that sounds kind of like a dumb question, but in asking it I'm trying to think if I just moved the distributor cap or moved the entire distributor 180.

One other thing. If I established TDC on the first cylinder, is it still possible to have the timing off 180?

NY-67stang · Jun 22, 2010

red66er said:
Hey Rsweld,

I checked many many times to make sure that the wires are all set correctly on the distributor. I keep thinking it's a timing thing too but I just can't seem to get it. I done the TDC thing probably 5 or 6 times just to make sure I am in the same place each time.

I also have checked many times to make sure that the number one wire is over the rotor pointer.

How are you verifying TDC? Humor us and walk through it. Maybe there is something your not seeing because your so close to it. Fuel + spark should make boom in cylinder.

Also, are the valves adjusted properly, e.g are you getting compression?

66Coupe289POWER · Jun 22, 2010

Are you sure you wired the plugs in the correct firing order for the cam? Does it try to start?

Cobra ssc · Jun 22, 2010

There are 2 TDC, one on the firing and one on the exhaust cycle. Move it 180 degrees by pulling the distributor and moving the rotor of it 180 degrees while keeping the body of the distributor in the same place. Are you using a 302 or a 351/5.0 firing order?

red66er · Jun 22, 2010

Good questions.

I had the right valve cover off and the #1 plug out of the hole.

I then bump the starter to get it to where it blows my finger out. Now, my engine doesn't have a pointer on it for the timing. So I am kind of guessing where it should be, I believe on the 66 it is about 1 o'clock as you face the engine. I have never been able to see a picture to make sure. If someone has one to put up I would sure appreciate it!!

So I try to get it as close to TDC as possible. The dampner is new and not a rebuild so the numbers are very easy to see on it.

I also went back through and checked valve lash and did reset some of the rockers because I wasn't originally getting compression in a couple of cylinders. Since that point, I have tested to make sure that I do have compression in all 8 cylinders.

Cobra ssc · Jun 22, 2010

EP429 said:
Sounds right on. Which part of Austin are you located in SSC? I'm just north in Cedar Park

I am located at the southern edge of Austin off of Brodie, a good drive from where you are...

Cobra ssc · Jun 22, 2010

red66er said:
Good questions.

I had the right valve cover off and the #1 plug out of the hole.

I then bump the starter to get it to where it blows my finger out. Now, my engine doesn't have a pointer on it for the timing. So I am kind of guessing where it should be, I believe on the 66 it is about 1 o'clock as you face the engine. I have never been able to see a picture to make sure. If someone has one to put up I would sure appreciate it!!

So I try to get it as close to TDC as possible. The dampner is new and not a rebuild so the numbers are very easy to see on it.

I also went back through and checked valve lash and did reset some of the rockers because I wasn't originally getting compression in a couple of cylinders. Since that point, I have tested to make sure that I do have compression in all 8 cylinders.

You NEED to have some way to see where your timing is, you need a pointer! If your valves are not adjusted correct, the car will not run. Where are you located?

NY-67stang · Jun 22, 2010

red66er said:
Good questions.

I had the right valve cover off and the #1 plug out of the hole.

I then bump the starter to get it to where it blows my finger out. Now, my engine doesn't have a pointer on it for the timing. So I am kind of guessing where it should be, I believe on the 66 it is about 1 o'clock as you face the engine. I have never been able to see a picture to make sure. If someone has one to put up I would sure appreciate it!!

So I try to get it as close to TDC as possible. The dampner is new and not a rebuild so the numbers are very easy to see on it.

I also went back through and checked valve lash and did reset some of the rockers because I wasn't originally getting compression in a couple of cylinders. Since that point, I have tested to make sure that I do have compression in all 8 cylinders.

Just to be sure of the dampner...........once you start getting compression on the number one cylinder (with your finger over the hole). Put a piece of wire in the #1 cylinder and turn the engine over by hand until the piston is at the top. (it is easier with the plugs out).
We just did an engine at my buddies and he did not do that and was a quarter turn off on the distributor and we could not keep it running.

What are you compression readings?

red66er · Jun 22, 2010

I called Edelbrock today to check on that firing order. Their tech help reassured me that the original 289 firing order was still supposed to be used. So I have that right. New plug wires too by the way.

No, it does not try and start. But all plugs have spark.

Cobra SSC, I'm pretty new at this so you are saying to physically move the rotor point 180 but leave the cap so the number 1 "lobe" on the cap stays in the same place, is that right?

red66er · Jun 22, 2010

I do have a pointer ordered. Aftermarket one.

I am located in Minnesota.

Cobra ssc · Jun 22, 2010

red66er said:
I called Edelbrock today to check on that firing order. Their tech help reassured me that the original 289 firing order was still supposed to be used. So I have that right. New plug wires too by the way.

No, it does not try and start. But all plugs have spark.

Cobra SSC, I'm pretty new at this so you are saying to physically move the rotor point 180 but leave the cap so the number 1 "lobe" on the cap stays in the same place, is that right?

Yes, you will have to lift the distributor out enough (an inch or two) to rotate the rotor 180 and then stab it back in. Make sure the oil pump shaft does not come out. If you were close enough, I would come and do it for you...

Cobra ssc · Jun 22, 2010

red66er said:
I do have a pointer ordered. Aftermarket one.

I am located in Minnesota.

LOL, that sucks... I was just there from 6/7-6/13 in Minneapolis/Plymouth...

red66er · Jun 22, 2010

NY-67stang,
Your saying to actually put a piece of wire in the spark plug hole?

My only problem here is that I can't figure out how to turn this over by hand since it is already installed. There doesn't look like any place to put a wrench or socket.

I don't have a compression tester, so I'm not sure what my compression tests out at.

Really Really need help with car not starting

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