Rotates but not starting
 

my 85 w/ a 305 rotates but does not start up. I took it to chevy and they said I needed a new carb. They wanted $50 installed so I told them I could get it cheaper somewhere else. So I had two carbs rebuilt and I still have the same problem. I decided to check the timing belt and it was about to come of the crank gear. I replaced the timing set and went by the haynes manual for getting tdc. Turn crankshaft until the balancer line is at 0. Look at the rotor and make sure it is pointing to plug #1. Everything looked in time to me. Well I get everything done and all the accessories back on and I tried to crank it up and I still have the same problem. It shoots fire back up through the carb.

It has to be some kind of timing issue but where should I go from here?

Re: Rotates but not starting
 

EDIT: chevy wanted 550

Re: Rotates but not starting
 

how does it rotate? look at yer fan while trying to start up the engine, if it turns then stops then turns again as you have the key in the "start" position yer engine is actually trying to run, but the distributor is off so the cylinders fire at the wrong time - chances are with at least one of the cylinders that happens while the intake valve is open, hence yer backfire through the carb.

Re: Rotates but not starting
 

from experience: Don't trust the balancer for knowing where #1's TDC is. My truck has a balancer from a newer block so the TDC mark is about 60 degrees off...We checked it using a small screwdriver and a flywheel turner and painted a yellow line across the balancer with model paint to mark true TDC.

Re: Rotates but not starting
 

you might be a 180 out.

Re: Rotates but not starting
 

its your firing order... has to do with your distributor brudda.
here:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_th...or_a_Chevy_350

Re: Rotates but not starting
 

sound like it still 180 degrees off. done it many of times just a thought not an insault.

Re: Rotates but not starting
 

also a Chevy dizzy rotates clockwise, unlike a Ford one - seen people get them messed up, both, it's pretty amusing really (no pun intended)

Re: Rotates but not starting
 

Will a distributor from a 76 350 work? I have a 4 wire hookup that goes into the cab of the truck and the standard BAT and and coil hookup. I have heard that this year dizzy will work but how if the 4 wire hookup is unplugged.
It is a 85 305 H w/ fed. emmissions btw. thanks

Re: Rotates but not starting
 

85, ain't that the computer controlled carb and dizzy? Computer controlled distributors don't have vacuum advance, while the '76 dizzy will have it, and you can run it like most of us run our trucks - problem will be the computer expects some signal from the dizzy, and with the '76 dizzy that just ain't happening. Dunno how the ECM logic is set up, but I'd assume it'll freak out when it don't "see" the dizzy and it'll make the carb act all funky.

Re: Rotates but not starting
 

In which case you say, goodbye computer.