C2 Starting Rebuilt Engine

[Richard H.]

Not sure if you remember my engine woes from a year ago today (that's too weird). I had the newly rebuilt 427/390 that had the awful squealing noise. Last year we got alot of help from John Hinckley, Gary Wylie and Jim Frakes, not to mention half of the ncrs on installing distributor and engine timing in general. At that time, the engine started right up. That was scary, but after 20 minutes of running, that horrible squealing occurred.

Well, I sent it back to the builder in Nebraska and we finally got it back in January. Just put it back into the car and the thing won't fire. We still have the copies of all the advice we received and have followed it to the letter. The engine runs ahead of the motor trying to start, but it just won't fire. What we did: Turned engine until both valves on #1 cylinder were closed and piston positioned at the top. At this time, marking on balancer lined up at zero (TDC). Dropped distributor in so rotor faced forward. With cap on and timing light connected to #1 wire, gently turned distributor until light came on. Filled carb front bowl with gas and gave it a try. No cigar. As always any assistance would be GREATLY appreciated. I'm at the end of my timing chain.

Thank you all.

Deb

[Clem Z.]

Re: C2 Starting Rebuilt Engine

set the TDC mark on the balancer at the 10 degree advance mark on the timing tab and then set the points on # 1 cylinder to open at that point. take out the plugs and make sure they are gas or carbon fouled and if they are fouled install new ones.

[roy braatz]

Re: C2 Starting Rebuilt Engine

Check the ballist resistor to see if it burn out, if so connect the two wire to gather. Because the engine will try starting as you turn the key, but you loose spark when you stop.

[Mike M.]

Re: C2 Starting Rebuilt Engine

is your 390 hp a TI optioned vet?

[Gary Cederman]

Re: C2 Starting Rebuilt Engine

Deb,

I don't understand your sentence: "The engine runs ahead of the motor trying to start, but it just won't fire.".

So, I may be missing something here and the point of my question maybe mute. But, did you confirm that you are getting a spark at the plug? Don't worry about the timing if you are not even getting a spark first.

Just a thought!

GaryC

[John H.]

Re: C2 Starting Rebuilt Engine

Deb -

If I understand your post, you're saying that it fires while cranking, but dies when you release the key (correct me if you're saying something else); check for power at the coil (+) terminal (from the output side of the ballast resistor) with the key in the "on" position. The coil is fed from the "R" terminal on the starter solenoid while cranking, and from the ballast resistor when you release the key back to the "on" position.

Also, you want to set the distributor so the light just goes OUT, not ON; when the test light goes OUT, the points are just opening, which is what creates the spark. Rotate the distributor clockwise until the light is on, then rotate it the other way, slowly, until the light JUST goes out, and lock it down.

[Richard H.]

C2 Engine Started...One More Question

Thank you all for your great advice. The engine started after setting the balancer line directly on zero and turning the distributor back one gear. Unbelievable. I pulled the vacuum line and the engine stalled. I didn't think this should have happened. Also, when we set the idle mixture screws initially on the carb, we turned the screws back one and a half turns. The last time we did this (same carb), we noticed heavy black residue on the exhaust and was told it needed to be leaned out. Any suggestions on how to adjust the idle mixture screws? As always, thank you all for your assistance.

Deb

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 Engine Started...One More Question

Did you check the timing? I doubt if it's correct. There was an exhaustive thread on installing the distributor earlier this week. Clem told you how to do it in the this thread. You don't install it with the engine at TDC. Scroll down and read the earlier thread. It also contains a lengthy post on setting the mixture. The starting point is the recommended initial setting for your engine as stated in the approriate year service manual.

Duke