Stumped...... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TCLARK · 02-22-2016, 12:19 PM

Frankenstein will not start ! I swapped an I6 for V8, had to put a fuel pump on it, it had sat on the engine stand for a couple years. It ran fine when removed. I noticed the vacuum advance was working, switched out another distributor. It ran fine for a month...one morning on the way to work it would not take gas, thought choke was sticking. next day it warmed up and drove fine again. Next morning started to work, same thing again. I could kick the choke off by hand and it would run, as soon as I took off the choke would close. I installed an electric choke, no help. It had new Distributor cap, rotor button & coil from Napa. I thought it had to be the carburetor, Bought new Edelbrock 1406 with electric choke. Still won't run. Then I replaced all Distributor parts, Ignition module, coil pickup. I have a 10ga from fuel box to Distributor with 12 volts. Still no start. I took the Carb off my vette and tried, not carb Problem. I checked the spark with an old plug hooked to no 1, looks like spark is weak..........Don't know what else to check ! It is on No 1 compression !

davepl · 02-22-2016, 01:56 PM

When you switch distributors, did you switch to something like an HEI that doesn't need the ballast wire and forget to remove it?

Where did you power the electric choke from?

TCLARK · 02-22-2016, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davepl

When you switch distributors, did you switch to something like an HEI that doesn't need the ballast wire and forget to remove it?

Where did you power the electric choke from?

I switch to HEI, no ballast wire just 10ga from fuse box to dist.

I powered the choke from fuse box...

Someone said maybe killed the plugs, buying new ones tomorrow and try.

snipescastle2 · 02-22-2016, 10:54 PM

Did you by chance change the ignition module in your HEI distributor recently? If you did, and didn't use the grease that came with the new module, that might account for the spark being weak. Those modules will fry very quickly.
also, how old is the coil in the distributor?
Look at the carbon button between the coil and the cap and make sure it's not burned.
Hope these suggestions help in someway or another.
Ben

**FirstOwner69** · 02-23-2016, 12:13 AM

Did you re-gap the plugs when you switched to HEI? I think they should be in the 0.040"-0.045" range. Maybe someone will confirm.

**special-K** · 02-23-2016, 09:45 AM

That carb is a bit much for an I-6. Or did you swap a V8 for the I-6?

midniteblues · 02-23-2016, 10:37 AM

just a thought here but did you ground the engine during your swap? lots of guys never give grounding a thought ya need a few of them.

I've also seen the main power wire(thick red) that goes into the firewall bulkhead get corroded and not make good contact. but you would lose ALL power in this situation.

TCLARK · 02-23-2016, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snipescastle2

Did you by chance change the ignition module in your HEI distributor recently? If you did, and didn't use the grease that came with the new module, that might account for the spark being weak. Those modules will fry very quickly.
also, how old is the coil in the distributor?
Look at the carbon button between the coil and the cap and make sure it's not burned.
Hope these suggestions help in someway or another.
Ben

Thanx, I installed all new Ignition parts and used supplied grease. Coil is new. Rotor Button looks good.

TCLARK · 02-23-2016, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

That carb is a bit much for an I-6. Or did you swap a V8 for the I-6?

I swapped I6 with Monojet ( points dist ) for V8 with Quadrajet ( HEI ).

TCLARK · 02-24-2016, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

Did you re-gap the plugs when you switched to HEI? I think they should be in the 0.040"-0.045" range. Maybe someone will confirm.

I put new ones it with the swap, gapped at around .042. The truck ran good for a month or so !

TCLARK · 02-29-2016, 12:55 PM

New Plugs Worked.............fired right up ! Who would've thunk it !

snipescastle2 · 02-29-2016, 12:59 PM

I built a mild 350 for a '69 Camaro I had years ago, that absolutely would not start unless the gap was .050" or wider, it was crazy, but the HEI distributor and super coil I was running with that Cam that was the only starting issue I had....
Hope that solves your problem for good!
Ben

02-22-2016, 12:19 PM	#1
TCLARK Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: COOKEVILLE,TN Posts: 147	Stumped...... Frankenstein will not start ! I swapped an I6 for V8, had to put a fuel pump on it, it had sat on the engine stand for a couple years. It ran fine when removed. I noticed the vacuum advance was working, switched out another distributor. It ran fine for a month...one morning on the way to work it would not take gas, thought choke was sticking. next day it warmed up and drove fine again. Next morning started to work, same thing again. I could kick the choke off by hand and it would run, as soon as I took off the choke would close. I installed an electric choke, no help. It had new Distributor cap, rotor button & coil from Napa. I thought it had to be the carburetor, Bought new Edelbrock 1406 with electric choke. Still won't run. Then I replaced all Distributor parts, Ignition module, coil pickup. I have a 10ga from fuel box to Distributor with 12 volts. Still no start. I took the Carb off my vette and tried, not carb Problem. I checked the spark with an old plug hooked to no 1, looks like spark is weak..........Don't know what else to check ! It is on No 1 compression !

02-22-2016, 01:56 PM	#2
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Stumped...... When you switch distributors, did you switch to something like an HEI that doesn't need the ballast wire and forget to remove it? Where did you power the electric choke from? __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

02-22-2016, 10:54 PM	#4
snipescastle2 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: WARRENSBURG,MISSOURI,64093 Posts: 1,518	Re: Stumped...... Did you by chance change the ignition module in your HEI distributor recently? If you did, and didn't use the grease that came with the new module, that might account for the spark being weak. Those modules will fry very quickly. also, how old is the coil in the distributor? Look at the carbon button between the coil and the cap and make sure it's not burned. Hope these suggestions help in someway or another. Ben

02-23-2016, 12:13 AM	#5
FirstOwner69 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin & Arizona Posts: 4,847	Re: Stumped...... Did you re-gap the plugs when you switched to HEI? I think they should be in the 0.040"-0.045" range. Maybe someone will confirm.

02-23-2016, 09:45 AM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: Stumped...... That carb is a bit much for an I-6. Or did you swap a V8 for the I-6? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

02-23-2016, 10:37 AM	#7
midniteblues Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: strausstown pa Posts: 3,394	Re: Stumped...... just a thought here but did you ground the engine during your swap? lots of guys never give grounding a thought ya need a few of them. I've also seen the main power wire(thick red) that goes into the firewall bulkhead get corroded and not make good contact. but you would lose ALL power in this situation. __________________ 81 camaro 355 4/spd 342 posi my first love. 67 swb step 454/4spd ott 373 posi 4/7 drop. 2000 s10 zr2 little blue truck that never gets stuck. '74 heald super bronc vt8. tecumseh powered moon rover.

02-29-2016, 12:55 PM	#11
TCLARK Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: COOKEVILLE,TN Posts: 147	Re: Stumped...... New Plugs Worked.............fired right up ! Who would've thunk it !

02-29-2016, 12:59 PM	#12
snipescastle2 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: WARRENSBURG,MISSOURI,64093 Posts: 1,518	Re: Stumped...... I built a mild 350 for a '69 Camaro I had years ago, that absolutely would not start unless the gap was .050" or wider, it was crazy, but the HEI distributor and super coil I was running with that Cam that was the only starting issue I had.... Hope that solves your problem for good! Ben



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