Need Help With Setting The Timing - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jfrank133 · 02-16-2005, 09:10 AM

Ok, I Have Done Everything I Can And I Still Cant Make It Start, I Have Checked And Double Check The Firing Order And Its Correct, I Made Sure That My #1 Piston Is On Top, And I Made Sure That My #1 On The Distributor Cap Is Pointing To #1 Piston. Is There Anything Else I Must Do.

Another Question: Everytime I Try Starting And It Doesnt Start, Do I Need To Go Back And Put #1 Piston On Top. Do I Have To Do That Everytime Im Trying To Start It?

Please Help Im Drowning.

jfrank133 · 02-16-2005, 02:25 PM

I forgot to add, that everytime i try to start it, it back fires on me, however i have fire come out of the carbuator, does this mean im close to the timing. Or does it mean that im far from it.

Ric83 · 02-16-2005, 02:34 PM

Sounds to me like you are 180* out. The same thing was happening to me when I did my dad's. Took the dizzy out and turned it 180* and it fired right up.

hotrodhomi · 02-16-2005, 03:01 PM

yeah, what he said^^^

SanitysBane · 02-16-2005, 11:55 PM

when the number 1 piston is at TDC the number 6 is firing. hence the need to turn it 180 degrees.

JonnyTechMech · 02-17-2005, 03:22 PM

Be absolute that the wires are not one post off. In other words, the plug post on the distributor for plug #1 has the #6th or # 8th wire on it. This happened to me when I changed the cap, rotor and wires out and checked it 4 times. It’s easy to miss.

The trick I use is, remove the #1 plug from the engine, and stuff some toilet paper in the threshold of the plughole. (don’t laugh, it works). Then bump the engine (turn the key just enough for the starter crank the flywheel one crank; Do Not allow a whole revolution) until you hear a POW! (This means that the piston’s pressure on chamber 1 has pop out the paper and is a TDC. Then check where the rotor is pointing on the distributor.
Correct if necessary and reinsert the plug.

This is a old shade tree mechanic trick and it’s flawless if you pay attention to what you’re doing. Plus it fun to watch someone spit up their beer when the toilet paper fires out. It scares the #%@& out someone not expecting this to happen. I WOULD NOT recommend scaring children, elder’s or your wife or girlfriend, unless you want to suffer the consequences. But for someone drinking up all the beer; DO IT!!!!!

JonnyTM

us111 · 02-18-2005, 03:11 PM

jonny is correct,,that way you are making sure you are at TDC at the correct time,THEN make sure your pointing at #1 cylinder.sounds like you are at TDC on the wrong stroke which will make it 180 off,will not start,and will backfire..although he is right about the TP method being fun if you have help they can hold there finger over plug hole,when they feel air pushing that will be TDC..not as much fun but works..lol

mine did the exact same thing,,just simply had it 180 off...

02-16-2005, 02:34 PM	#3
Ric83 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 824	Sounds to me like you are 180* out. The same thing was happening to me when I did my dad's. Took the dizzy out and turned it 180* and it fired right up. __________________ Ric '83 Silverado SWB Fleetside Here she is

02-16-2005, 11:55 PM	#5
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	when the number 1 piston is at TDC the number 6 is firing. hence the need to turn it 180 degrees. __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

02-18-2005, 03:11 PM	#7
us111 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: ashland oh Posts: 660	wont start jonny is correct,,that way you are making sure you are at TDC at the correct time,THEN make sure your pointing at #1 cylinder.sounds like you are at TDC on the wrong stroke which will make it 180 off,will not start,and will backfire..although he is right about the TP method being fun if you have help they can hold there finger over plug hole,when they feel air pushing that will be TDC..not as much fun but works..lol mine did the exact same thing,,just simply had it 180 off...

02-16-2005, 09:10 AM	#1
jfrank133 AUSTIN TX Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 135	Need Help With Setting The Timing Ok, I Have Done Everything I Can And I Still Cant Make It Start, I Have Checked And Double Check The Firing Order And Its Correct, I Made Sure That My #1 Piston Is On Top, And I Made Sure That My #1 On The Distributor Cap Is Pointing To #1 Piston. Is There Anything Else I Must Do. Another Question: Everytime I Try Starting And It Doesnt Start, Do I Need To Go Back And Put #1 Piston On Top. Do I Have To Do That Everytime Im Trying To Start It? Please Help Im Drowning.

02-16-2005, 02:25 PM	#2
jfrank133 AUSTIN TX Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 135	I forgot to add, that everytime i try to start it, it back fires on me, however i have fire come out of the carbuator, does this mean im close to the timing. Or does it mean that im far from it.

02-16-2005, 03:01 PM	#4
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	yeah, what he said^^^

02-17-2005, 03:22 PM	#6
JonnyTechMech STOP! Hamma time!!! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas TX. Posts: 145	Be absolute that the wires are not one post off. In other words, the plug post on the distributor for plug #1 has the #6th or # 8th wire on it. This happened to me when I changed the cap, rotor and wires out and checked it 4 times. It’s easy to miss. The trick I use is, remove the #1 plug from the engine, and stuff some toilet paper in the threshold of the plughole. (don’t laugh, it works). Then bump the engine (turn the key just enough for the starter crank the flywheel one crank; Do Not allow a whole revolution) until you hear a POW! (This means that the piston’s pressure on chamber 1 has pop out the paper and is a TDC. Then check where the rotor is pointing on the distributor. Correct if necessary and reinsert the plug. This is a old shade tree mechanic trick and it’s flawless if you pay attention to what you’re doing. Plus it fun to watch someone spit up their beer when the toilet paper fires out. It scares the #%@& out someone not expecting this to happen. I WOULD NOT recommend scaring children, elder’s or your wife or girlfriend, unless you want to suffer the consequences. But for someone drinking up all the beer; DO IT!!!!! JonnyTM



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.