I failed!Need help please.

[69lnghrn]

Alright here it goes. Since I found this mesg board Ive started to wrench on my 69 and 78 a LIL. Not to knowledgable bout engines and stuff but i figured what better to learn on then a good ol chevy 350 (my daily d). Done a few minor things to it and figured that i would tackle changing the oil pan. Didnt seem to be that hard til i realized that i had to lift my engine. No biggie I lifted it changed the pan, gasket, motor mounts, and a few other gaskets. It seemed that I put everything back together til I tried to start it. It sounds like it wants to start but i guess i messed w/the distrbuter. Is there anything a non mechanic like myself can do or shall i go on ahead and take her in ??? i know its a cheap fix i just need
as far as tools all i got is a powerbuilt 170 pi set, 60 gal 6.5hp comp,hoist, bag of misc tools, jacks,jackstands and ramps and friends w/tools that know just about as much as me nada
any feedback or suggestions would be greatly appreicated thanks guys!

[68K20 x Drill]

Check that you have spark and the distributor cap isn't broken.
When you say it wants to start, does it sputter, or just spin?

[skokie]

If it is a HEI make sure that the hot wire is plugged into the HEI's coil. If its a points setup make sure that you did not unhook your coil wire from the dizzy to the coil and that the wires on the coil are hooked up as well. If all of that checks out then the question is this. Did you remove your distributor from the engine? I have been in your place and this board has helped me many many many many times. Keep us posted.

[DennyB]

Definitely look at the dizzy. When you jacked up the engine it may have hit the firewall. Its possible the distributer cap is mis-aligned or broken. Also take it off and check the rotor.

[gotchevys?]

If you messed with the distributor and your cap and rotor are not loose cracked or broken, then its probably out of time.

[Spoof]

Like 68K20 said, make sure you have spark. Remove a plug, put the distributor wire back on it and hold it to the block while someone cranks the engine over. If you see a spark,or not,come back to the board and someone will guide you through.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you take the truck to the shop. You haven't failed, you're learning like most of us did...overcoming breakdowns.

[PanelDeland]

Spoof 's right.If you take it to the shop you fail.If you don't give up you can't fail.Try the above then let us know and we will be here to cheer or to guide.

[69lnghrn]

thanks alot guys I am going to tackle it this week coming up. ill keep you posted.

so do i take off any spark plug wire and hold it to the block or does it have to be a certain one ?

[69lnghrn]

Originally Posted by 68K20 x Drill

Check that you have spark and the distributor cap isn't broken.
When you say it wants to start, does it sputter, or just spin?

i guess you can say it sputters and kinda sounds like if i close my eyes and and concentrate real hard it will start

so far the closing the eye thing hasnt worked

[xshadow]

no pictures or video with sound? Like the others have said...DON't take it in...you will figure it out!

[Premium72]

take a wire off a plug ( say plug #1, thats the first one on the driver side) take the plug out, put the wire back on the plug. have someone turn over the truck( try to start it) and hold the plug to the block(or some where it can arc. ) then you got power to the plugs, and your timing may be off a bit. if the timing is off. find your TDC (top dead center( when your #1 piston is on the UP stroke and all the way up. you can do this by putting a pressure gauge in #1 spark plug hole while someone bumps over the engine with the key watch for the pressure to go up to its highest. or a less desireable way, you can put a screw driver in the #1 spark plug hole and when the piston bumps the sd your at TDC.) so when you find TDC lift your cap off your dizzy. look at you rotor button. where ever the metal tip is pointing is where ,on the cap you should plug the #1 wire, and then the rest of your wires in order(firing order) going clockwize around the cap. this should get your timing straightend out, that is if all your parts are in good working order,(check your cap rotor button and all those goodies) hope this helps. good luck. dont take nuthn to anyshop unless its tires or exhuast. you can do the rest. welcome to the boared

[Spoof]

Ummmmmm...it's Saturday evening. Got her goin yet?

[72armyswbtruck]

Ditto...

[69lnghrn]

Originally Posted by Spoof

Ummmmmm...it's Saturday evening. Got her goin yet?

no not yet still sitting. ive been roofing my butt off the last week in a half.
might have sunday free and im going to try to tackle it then.



MUCH THANKS!!!!! to everyone for all your help Ive got the basic game plan down now i just got to execute it I WONT TAKE IT TO THE SHOP

[special-K]

Which eye did you close?Try the other one.

[68gmsee]

When you check for spark on the plug wire, be sure and wear a rubber glove if you have one, wrap the wire with a rag, use insulated pliars or use some other way of keeping the spark from using you as the ground...

Don't ask how I know. If you work with engines long enough sooner or later you're going to get zapped!

One method I use to check if I am getting spark from distributor is to remove the plug wire from the distributor cap and just hold it close enough to see if you're getting spark.