ProZac Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 Okay, its not the most complicated of engines, but i must be missing something really simple. After fixing up some dodgy wiring, and making sure the grounds were all good, the starter motor engages (inertia type) and it cranks over. I checked it was actually sparking by removing the coil lead from the distriputor cap, holding it near the intake manifold and seperating the distributor contacts manually... it sparks, awesome. I set the timing the oldschool way, rotated the engine till the crank pully was lined up with the 9 deg BTDC mark, firing on no.1 cyl. I hooked up my voltmeter to the low tension lead coming from the distributor and a good ground, then rotated the distributor until it flicked up to 12V (i.e the contacts have *just* opened)... Now, it cranks over, back-fires occasionally, but just wont go. Any ideas? A few nice high-res of an un-molested chevette engine bay would probably help if anyone has any? Cheers . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowlancer Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 Bet its dizzy out by 180 degrees Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unclejake Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 ^ agreed. Or you have messed up the firing order when you took the plug leads off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProZac Posted May 28, 2007 Author Share Posted May 28, 2007 Checked plug order, it was wrong when i got it, ive corrected, 1-3-4-2 sytlez. When its at tdc, firing on no.1, the rotor is pointing at no.1 plug lead, so i dont rekon its out by 180 deg. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowlancer Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 Check plugs and leads? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unclejake Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 It can still be out by 180 degrees based on what you have described. Swap the leads around 180 degrees on the dizzy cap and try again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unclejake Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 And if you don't believe me rotate the motor until the rotor is pointing at #1 and you are at TDC. Then rotate the motor on the crankshaft one turn and you will find that the rotor is now pointing at #4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProZac Posted May 28, 2007 Author Share Posted May 28, 2007 Yeap, i get that, but i made sure it was at tdc on no1 on its compression stroke by having the tappet cover off, no4 was just ending its exhaust stroke. At that point the rotor is pointing at no1 lead. I did go and swap the leads 180deg tho, and it was the same, except this time there was the odd backfire. I'll try some "start ya bastard" when my flatmate is home and see how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unclejake Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 Sounds like you know exactly what you are doing. Engine start is probably the best idea then - and if that doesn't work keep looking at the timing (I only say that because of the backfiring). I would have that when you moved the leads 180 degrees you would have seen some spitbacks through the carb though (as well as the backfiring). In the past on a few old hard to initially start Ford motors I have taken out all the plugs, cleaned them and then only fitted two plugs - that helps the motor turn over faster on the starter motor. Once the two plugs have fired a few times (the engine will normally start and idle badly) then I fit the other two. It doesn't always work and waiting for some mug to hold the can of engine start is probably a better way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProZac Posted May 28, 2007 Author Share Posted May 28, 2007 I like that idea about the plugs, as it really dosent turn over particularly fast, I'm gonna try that in a minute . Hell, i havent even had the plugs out of it yet... now thats a fucking good idea isnt it? gah... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProZac Posted May 28, 2007 Author Share Posted May 28, 2007 Hmmmm, nope, tried that and still no luck. It would turn over nice and fast, then sound like it fired once, stop turning alltogether for an instant, then repeat the process. Hmmmm, its a bit late now, but on my next day off i might whip the front covers off and check the timing in there... Who knows what dodgy bastards had this thing, heh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 Stupid question but ya got gas? And is it getting into strommy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProZac Posted May 28, 2007 Author Share Posted May 28, 2007 Yeah, gas gauge is up, and the filter has got some in it. Damn simple cars, why cant you be more simple!? . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidian Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 maybe tip a few drops of gas down the carb or spray ether down there without having someone do it while you crank it over, then give it a turn. its worth a try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htwn-escort-boy Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 i know it might sound dum but have you got them firing in the rigth direction, my mate had his in his escort around the rong way and was back firing everynow and then, if dont know what i mean does the rotor spin closewise and youve set the leads up anticlose wise or spin anti clock wise and youve got them clock wise.?? just an idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unclejake Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 Hmmmm, nope, tried that and still no luck. It would turn over nice and fast, then sound like it fired once, stop turning alltogether for an instant, then repeat the process. ^ If you have all the leads on correcty then your timing is too far advanced. Retard the bitch until she fires - then work out where it is supposed to be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProZac Posted May 28, 2007 Author Share Posted May 28, 2007 Mint, just went for a run to clear my head, i'll try that as soon as i've stopped sweating like a pig. Yup, i checked which way the rotor rotates, its anti-clockwise, leads are set that way :/. Retardation here i come! (more so even ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProZac Posted May 28, 2007 Author Share Posted May 28, 2007 Hmmmm, threw some new plugs at it, retarded the timing a few times and still no luck... have to wait till my next way off now, but thats no biggie. Cheers all for you help . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 Have you had this engine running etc before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrome_GT Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 I had similar pains when i first got my engine up and running. Sometimes sparked, but sometimes it missed etc or just wouldn't start. Make sure the screw or nut which is holding the condensor lead down is down tight. Maybe your problem is intermittent misfiring rather than backfiring. Retardation tends to help a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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