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#26 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: nantucket,ma
Posts: 230
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Re: first time installing distributor
what reading should i have at the end of the plug wire?
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#27 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Michigan
Posts: 474
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Re: first time installing distributor
Take one of your spark plugs out and ground it against a metal part on the engine while a buddy cranks over the engine. While the engine is cranking over you should see the spark at the plug tip.
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Brad handshoe |
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#28 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Mickleton, NJ
Posts: 1,776
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Re: first time installing distributor
If the spark at the plug isn't strong enough it may not fire. I've had new HEI modules crap out really quick before. Accel modules always seem to fail on me.
Is the distributor new or used? What brand? Ground a plug against the block and look for the spark. It should be easily visible and white or blue-ish.
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Shawn 1970 Chevy C-10 SWB, 350, TKO 600 5 speed My build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=559881 |
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#29 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 3,016
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Re: first time installing distributor
I might be mistaken but you do not want to actually ground it but rather come very close instead. Like 1/16 of an inch, but not too far away from the bare metal to where it isn't possible for the spark to jump. You should see a strong arc, again someone correct me if I'm wrong - the arc's color will tell you its health. I think red/orange is bad? It's been so long (high school) since I've had the need to do this I could be wrong.
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project: "my happy mess" Last edited by litew8; 05-03-2014 at 01:53 PM. |
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#30 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: calgary alberta
Posts: 1,248
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Re: first time installing distributor
put a timing light on each wire one at a time to see if each plug is getting spark
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#31 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Mickleton, NJ
Posts: 1,776
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Re: first time installing distributor
Quote:
If the park is orange, its weak.
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Shawn 1970 Chevy C-10 SWB, 350, TKO 600 5 speed My build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=559881 |
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#32 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: nantucket,ma
Posts: 230
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Re: first time installing distributor
so today i tested the coil,pickup, module and wires everything checked out fine so i did the coat hanger trick in the cylinder also took valve cover off and both pushrods were loose at t.d.c put the distributor in and it starts up,runs for 5 seconds with me putting the gas half way to the floor then it dies.i tried rotating the distributor 1/4 turns but it is still the same.
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#33 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: calgary alberta
Posts: 1,248
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Re: first time installing distributor
well if it ran for 5 sec then you got the timing right now i would think you have a fuel supply prob maybe bad pump or plugged filter
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#34 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 3,016
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Re: first time installing distributor
Quote:
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project: "my happy mess" |
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#35 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: nantucket,ma
Posts: 230
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Re: first time installing distributor
i have a new mech.fuel pump and new filter.i have a hose going into a 6 gallon gas can and a new line going to carb.
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#36 |
Chance
![]() Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Belcourt ,ND, USA
Posts: 750
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Re: first time installing distributor
I'll be tackling this next weekend when I change intakes...
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1968 Chevrolet Stepside BB 396 w/TH400 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 Ton 4x4 BB 496 w/TH400 |
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#37 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: calgary alberta
Posts: 1,248
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Re: first time installing distributor
Well did it run nice. For 5sec or did it pop and fart
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#38 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 3,016
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Re: first time installing distributor
Earlier you said "and the spark is a dull orange color" - that might be the issue. Coil possibly bad.
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project: "my happy mess" Last edited by litew8; 05-03-2014 at 07:47 PM. |
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#39 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Mount Albert.Ontario
Posts: 119
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Re: first time installing distributor
you may just have so much gas in the cylinders now that it has totally flooded your plugs ,when you try starting have choke open and hold gas to the floor.
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#40 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Mickleton, NJ
Posts: 1,776
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Re: first time installing distributor
Quote:
I have a spark plug with a wire and an alligator clip hose clamped to it. Put the clip on a ground, put the wire on the plug. Crank it over and watch it spark (or not, as the case may be). Works well and is pretty easy.
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Shawn 1970 Chevy C-10 SWB, 350, TKO 600 5 speed My build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=559881 |
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#41 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Mickleton, NJ
Posts: 1,776
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Re: first time installing distributor
Since it ran a little, pull the plugs and see how they look. Wet or dry?
If it ran ok for the short time without backfiring out of the carb, then the timing is good enough. Could be too much or not enough fuel, or weak spark. Something as simple as a float needle can wreak havoc on you and cause something like this. So can a weak coil.
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Shawn 1970 Chevy C-10 SWB, 350, TKO 600 5 speed My build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=559881 |
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#42 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 3,016
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Re: first time installing distributor
Quote:
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project: "my happy mess" |
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#43 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 3,016
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Re: first time installing distributor
Any luck?
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project: "my happy mess" |
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#44 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Placentia, California
Posts: 567
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Re: first time installing distributor
Funny you should ask. The July 2014 issue of Classic Trucks has an article on how to do it. Plus using a clear HEI distributor cap to make it extra easy. I'll see if we can get the article posted on www.ClassicTrucks.com in a relatively short time frame.
Or in the meantime maybe Walmart has it on the newsstand. |
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#45 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: nantucket,ma
Posts: 230
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Re: first time installing distributor
no,have not had any luck i called a friend who owns a shop that i send a lot of customers to but he will not call me or come by.
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#46 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Omaha
Posts: 7
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Re: first time installing distributor
Quote:
Worth a shot. Good luck.
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1970 GMC Custom Camper 396, A/C, Tach 1978 Chevy 1 ton 350, NV4500, D60/14 bolt (drivetrain donor for the GMC) |
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#47 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 3,016
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Re: first time installing distributor
I was thinking the same thing. Check carb to intake and any other area where vacuum occurs.
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project: "my happy mess" |
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