Trying to start h/c/i, but only 2 cylinders seem to be firing

[DARK-5.0]

I am getting ready to start my AFR/FTI/Edelbrock motor that i just finished but I'm having a hard time starting it. The motor turns over but doesn't start. I started out only getting backfires, so I played with the timing and then got nothing. So I messed with the timing somemore and realized that only the #5 and #3 cylinders header pipe got warm, the other 6 were cold. So I go inside and think about my valvetrain but I know all the valves are opening because I did the valvetrain 3 times to make sure everything was right. So then a couple hours later, I play with the timing some more, but only the #5 cylinder header pipe got warm, not even the #3 like earlier.

What could be causing all of this. Does anyone have a clue? I am tired of this thing not starting. I have been trying to start it for almost 3 weeks. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Jeremy

 

[stangbanger94]

Your timing is off, that'd be my guess. When you installed the distributor, it probably was off by a tooth or 2 or 3. Alot of people here will tell you that don't matter, but I think different. When I just installed my new engine, it was such a bi*tch to get it to run. I had to pull the distributor out like 3 or 4 times. I'd check that first. When you reset everything, make sure the motor is set to 0 degrees on the balancer, then pull the dist. and reinstall it with the rotor pointing to number 1 cyl on the cap. Mess with that a little, you'll get it to start.

 

[2muchtime]

i would say timing issue also..
the cylinders are not firing in their proper order.. that is why one may feel hot and others cold..
start from scratch (TRUST ME) your just beating yourself senseless..
0 degrees on balancer may not indicate tdc, especially if using a stock balancer. the 2 pieces tend to seperate causing your markings to be off..

you must be on a compression stroke tdc on #1 cylinder once you find that pull your cap and see where your rotor is pointing if you are not near #1
it will never fire up..

do you know how to find tdc compression stroke??
no clue of your abilities

 

[DARK-5.0]

I have set the #1 piston at tdc compression time after time and the rotor is directly under the #1 plug. I know its gotta be timing, but i have tried everything timing related.

Jeremy

 

[1105]

So I go inside and think about my valvetrain but I know all the valves are opening because I did the valvetrain 3 times to make sure everything was right

They might be opening but now closing all the way... Are you sure you didnt over tighten the rockers down? If you do, it'll hold the valves open and the car wont start... Just another thought (happened to me)

Check to make sure you have your plug wires in the right place too.

 

[2muchtime]

what kind of ignition system, any add ons ??
new distributor ?

 

[yellow1995Cobra]

I have set the #1 piston at tdc compression time after time and the rotor is directly under the #1 plug. I know its gotta be timing, but i have tried everything timing related.

Jeremy

Its probably way retarded. Advance it some more, have someone twist the distributor until the car fires up and stays running.

 

[SN95Oh]

Your probably 180* out. The cam turns twice for one crank turn. You sure you stabbed the distributer right?

 

[HoofnIt]

I just finished my HCI swap a few days ago and I too am having difficulty getting the dist. in the right place. After adjusting it on two separate occasions I finally am able to say it is in the right place and I set the timing to 12 deg. I can attest to the fact that if the timing is off, it will either not start or start hard and barely run. I am still working the bugs out.

 

[RIO5.0]

If you think the dizzy is correct...try pulling a plug you think isn't firing...put your finger on the hole...have someone crank it...is it pissing a nice stream of air out??? if not, as mentioned your valves maybe staying open????

pull #1 plug and use a pencil or something to slide in the hole...rotate the motor and watch for the pencil to reach max height...check your balancer for zero...least you can verify if the balancer is good AND that your on the compression stroke....then re-pull the dizzy and reset it...It a pain and frustrating...we all been there...
firing order is correct on your plug wires??? did you swap timing chains?? alls good there, dot to dot or did you Adv/Rtd it ???

 

[DARK-5.0]

Well I'm proud to announce I finally got this Big B started. My good friend Pete (yellow5.0cobra) im-ed me telling that I set my valvetrain wrong. What I did was tighten my rockers when the piston was at top dead center when actually, I needed to let it go on its down stroke 10* on the balancer. So I redid the valvetrain according to what he said, and wahla. It started and idled on the first fire. Its a miracle. I am so stoked. This FTI cam is unreal. It is HUGE. I'll give a better update with pics and maybe a video in a later thread. Thanks to everyones help. I wouldn't have been able to do this without the forums. THANKS A MILLION.

Jeremy

 

[yellow5.0cobra]

Well I'm proud to announce I finally got this Big B started. My good friend Pete (yellow5.0cobra) im-ed me telling that I set my valvetrain wrong. What I did was tighten my rockers when the piston was at top dead center when actually, I needed to let it go on its down stroke 10* on the balancer. So I redid the valvetrain according to what he said, and wahla. It started and idled on the first fire. Its a miracle. I am so stoked. This FTI cam is unreal. It is HUGE. I'll give a better update with pics and maybe a video in a later thread. Thanks to everyones help. I wouldn't have been able to do this without the forums. THANKS A MILLION.

Jeremy

no problem dude...

glad you got that wicked car started!

 

[Sleepy McNastee]

Well I'm proud to announce I finally got this Big B started. My good friend Pete (yellow5.0cobra) im-ed me telling that I set my valvetrain wrong. What I did was tighten my rockers when the piston was at top dead center when actually, I needed to let it go on its down stroke 10* on the balancer. So I redid the valvetrain according to what he said, and wahla. It started and idled on the first fire. Its a miracle. I am so stoked. This FTI cam is unreal. It is HUGE. I'll give a better update with pics and maybe a video in a later thread. Thanks to everyones help. I wouldn't have been able to do this without the forums. THANKS A MILLION.

Jeremy

Awesome.Thats always a good feeling when you get your beast to wake up.


Where is Leawood? Outside K.C. right?

 

[DARK-5.0]

yea, i'm about 30 min south of downtown, and about 25 east of the edge of lawrance. we'll have to meet up sometime after i get this thing running good. it idled real good the first couple starts, but now the computer is ****ting itself and doesn't want to idle, but thats why i have the eec tuner to adjust that.

OT: i noticed that you are awaiting your 03 cobras. I am actually selling my 17" 03 cobras. they have 555 up front with 555r drag radials in the rear. They only difference is that they are 9's all around. but get back to be if interested. they were only on the car for roughly 4 months. they are brand new looking and the tread is great. get back to me if interested. thanks

Jeremy

 

[Sleepy McNastee]

yea, i'm about 30 min south of downtown, and about 25 east of the edge of lawrance. we'll have to meet up sometime after i get this thing running good. it idled real good the first couple starts, but now the computer is ****ting itself and doesn't want to idle, but thats why i have the eec tuner to adjust that.

OT: i noticed that you are awaiting your 03 cobras. I am actually selling my 17" 03 cobras. they have 555 up front with 555r drag radials in the rear. They only difference is that they are 9's all around. but get back to be if interested. they were only on the car for roughly 4 months. they are brand new looking and the tread is great. get back to me if interested. thanks

Jeremy

I still am using my stock computer and eec. My car idled weird for a while(couple weeks) but the computer "learned" how to find a good idle. It used to stall and buck at stops, which got annoying fast. But I was patient with it and lately it almost never stalls. I'm still planning on getting a tweecer though.

Thanks for the offer on the wheels,and I'll keep it in mind, but I have my mind set on the 10.5's.I just wish they would finally show up so I can use 1st-3rd gears without scaring myself.

Yeah, let me know if you wanna go hunting for victims some time.I'm off work on Sundays.