Starting Problems

[raleighstang65]

New cam and hyd. lifters installed about six months ago. (Edelbrock Performer Plus) Sat for a while due to new baby. Just got it all back together. Also added new timing chain, new alternator, new water pump, new plugs/wires, new dist. cap, new starter solenoid, and new starter too. Primed the oil pump. Set initial timing at 10 degrees. It's getting fuel (can see the primaries spray) and it's getting spark (tested with spark tester). The battery is charged.
The first time I tried to start it I got it to fire up but it back fired through the carb and died after a few seconds. On initial start up when it back fired through the carb, one of the tubes on my headers got REALLY hot after it ran for maybe 10 seconds before it back fired. When I say hot I mean it was glowing orange! So I pulled the valve covers and re-set the rocker arm clearance, I think I didn't have a couple of them set right and had a valve sticking (sound right?). So now I can't get it to turn over at all.
It was at TDC when I started the cam swap and did not turn the crank with the dist. out so I'm pretty sure it's not 180 out.
What are the chances of messing up the new cam before it's broken in by it not firing right up? How can I get it started?

 

[Rusty67]

Did you check your firing order ? Are you using the 351 firing order or the 302 firing order ? Check the sheet that came with your cam to see which firing order it uses and verify that you used the correct one.

As far as I know, and this isn't a whole lot, as long as the cam is geting oiled properly and your rocker arms are setup right you wont destroy your cam. Did you use some cam assembly lube when you put it together ?

 

[raleighstang65]

The firing order stayed the same as it was. Used plenty of lube on the cam and bottom of the lifters. Will that wear off while I'm trying to get it started?

 

[geostang351]

Could have two wires switched?

 

[raleighstang65]

Checked the wires and they are correct. Any other ideas? Could a vacuum leak cause this?

 

[CraigMBA]

Call the tech line at Edlebrock.

I'm going to grunch and say you've got the firing order wrong.

 

[raleighstang65]

Alright, I double checked the firing order and the wire connections. Everything is where it should be. I tried Edelbrock tech line but gave up after 30 mins on hold. Anymore ideas?

 

[Rusty67]

Hate to say this but if everything else checks out, you may want to double check your cam. It may be 180 out...

 

[raleighstang65]

So the cam can be 180 out? Or do you mean the distributor?

 

[Rusty67]

Both can be 180 out. The if the motor was at TDC when you yanked the cam, you need to put the cam in at TDC position. It the cam and crank are not lined up properly there will be firing problems. As far as the distributor being 180 out, it really doesn't matter where you put the distributor. The only thing that actually matters is that when the engine is at TDC that you start the firing order on the cap of the rotor with cylinder 1 being the first to get power from where the rotor is pointing. If you want to double check it, put the thing at TDC and make sure the rotor is point at the #1 plug wire on the cap.

 

[Edbert]

I'm going with 180 out too. You said it was at TDC, but since you did not say if it was the compression stroke or not I think you may have it in wrong. Being at TDC means you cannot be 90 or 270 degrees out, but does not rule out 180 unless you are sure where the exhaust valve is.

 

[raleighstang65]

Appreciate the advice guys! Won't get to work on it until this weekend but I'll definately let you know how it goes.

 

[raleighstang65]

I finally got it started!! It turns out it just needed a couple more degrees of timing. Thanks for all the advice again guys! Stangnet rocks!