454 problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BADA$$69 · 12-10-2002, 05:03 PM

I just got finished putting a 454 in my truck, but it will not start. I have the rotor in the right position and my wires on right (firing order 18436572). I'm getting fire to the plugs and gas in the carb but it will not even act like its going to start. The engine was in a 71 chevy truck (not original engine) I bought and it ran fine in it. All I did was took it out of the other truck and put it in mine. The engine is a 91 model. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

694X4 · 12-10-2002, 05:23 PM

Did you run #1 to tdc and the drop in dist. w/ rotor pointing to #1 plug wire? Did you even take dist. out?

68 with 350 TPI · 12-10-2002, 05:24 PM

Thats what I was going to say.
Make sure #1 is a Top dead center.

BADA$$69 · 12-10-2002, 05:30 PM

Yes , I had my dad put his finger over the plug hole and I bumped it over until I got tdc and I put the #1 plug wire where the rotor was pointing. I also had my dad rotate the dist. back and forth very slowly while I was turning it over and I still got nothing.

694X4 · 12-10-2002, 05:33 PM

is it making any noises at all except for the starter cranking? (poping, backfiring, pushing back against the starter, anything?)

BADA$$69 · 12-10-2002, 05:33 PM

nothing

Long Knight · 12-10-2002, 05:36 PM

Ran into the same problem a few weeks ago when I put in my electronic ignition.

Put the distributor in one "notch" too far. Wouldn't even start. You should also check to make sure you have your engine block grounded to the frame.

694X4 · 12-10-2002, 05:38 PM

wow that is weird.

I am out of ideas right now i will have to think about that over night.

BADA$$69 · 12-10-2002, 05:41 PM

I am using solid motor mounts so I think that should be enough ground (I think).

694X4 · 12-10-2002, 05:47 PM

for ****s and giggles run a cable from the battery - post to the motor. Where is you negative run to now? Most all that I have seen have been to the alt. bracket.

BADA$$69 · 12-10-2002, 05:49 PM

I am going to try that now. It is bolted to the radiator support.

694X4 · 12-10-2002, 05:52 PM

I think long night is right on this one. How did you check to see that you where getting spark?

Long Knight · 12-10-2002, 05:58 PM

When I put my motor in a while back I ran my ground from the battery to the radiator. Ended up having to go directly to the block (LOL took us a lot of beer to figure that one out!)

72gmcshorty · 12-10-2002, 06:01 PM

I had the same problem with my motor too. Turned the key and nothing at all. Just about pulled out all my hair until my friend mentioned the neutral saftery switch. Wouldn't you know it, it was loose on the steering column. Plugged it back in and motor started NO PROBLEM!!

BADA$$69 · 12-10-2002, 06:24 PM

The way I checked to see if I had spark was I took the #1 wire off and connected it to plug and pressed it against the block and then turned the engine over. I grounded the block and I ran the negative battery cable to the block and still nothing.

chevy2racr · 12-10-2002, 06:36 PM

I'd suggest putting charger on ur batter for awhile to, never know if that spark aint quite enough tofire it. it happened to meonce.. good luck

*67Fleetsidedream* · 12-10-2002, 06:49 PM

Sounds to me that timing is still off. Are you aligning the line on the harmonic balancer up on zero at TDC? You may have it 180 out.
Ben

BADA$$69 · 12-10-2002, 07:40 PM

Yes, I aligned the line on the harmonic balancer up on zero at TDC. I am tired of fooling with it. I guess I'll try again tomorrow. Here is a pic of the not running 454.

fast_dev · 12-10-2002, 07:53 PM

mine did the same thing, i did the same as you with the timing and couldn't get it to start, i kept telling everyone how i did the timing and everyone said it was correct, however just because i couldn't stand it anymore, i was up for anything, my friend pulled the wires off the cap one at a time and rotated them counterclockwise one position and it started up, it didn't make sense but it ran!!! DEV.

68 with 350 TPI · 12-10-2002, 07:54 PM

Sounds to me like the timming is off one way or the other.

You need...... fuel, spark, O2 , correct timming, and compression to start a engine.

I would try a little starting fluid to see if the engine even trys to start.

BADA$$69 · 12-11-2002, 07:39 PM

I finally got it to start. I installed a super coil on my dist. and I didn't put the rotor button in right. It wasn't sticking out of the inside of the dist. I fixed the rotor button and it fired right up.

694X4 · 12-11-2002, 09:13 PM

Good to hear man you had me pulling out my hair trying to figure out what was wrong. But i thought you said you had spark? Maybe not enough to get a fire.

chevy2racr · 12-12-2002, 12:09 AM

I like ur valve covers, they look better in a clean engine compartment than they do in mine

BADA$$69 · 12-12-2002, 12:25 AM

Thanks

Hooter · 12-12-2002, 12:50 AM

Doh!. I remember when my 74 wouldnt start I had too many beer and forgot i had the coil un hooker. Thats good it wasn't major but what a pain!

12-10-2002, 05:23 PM	#2
694X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: utica, oh, Posts: 249	Did you run #1 to tdc and the drop in dist. w/ rotor pointing to #1 plug wire? Did you even take dist. out? __________________ 69 3/4 ton 4x4 gmc with 6" sky jacker soft ride. 350 / th350 / 205 work in progress

12-10-2002, 05:24 PM	#3
68 with 350 TPI Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wingate NC Posts: 456	Thats what I was going to say. Make sure #1 is a Top dead center. __________________ Life is good with a 6-71 supercharged 355 in a 72 camaro

12-10-2002, 05:30 PM	#4
BADA$$69 Walking accident Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Laurens, SC Posts: 200	Yes , I had my dad put his finger over the plug hole and I bumped it over until I got tdc and I put the #1 plug wire where the rotor was pointing. I also had my dad rotate the dist. back and forth very slowly while I was turning it over and I still got nothing. __________________ Laurens, SC 69 C10 W/350 & 700R4 89 Mustang GT

12-10-2002, 05:33 PM	#5
694X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: utica, oh, Posts: 249	is it making any noises at all except for the starter cranking? (poping, backfiring, pushing back against the starter, anything?) __________________ 69 3/4 ton 4x4 gmc with 6" sky jacker soft ride. 350 / th350 / 205 work in progress

12-10-2002, 05:33 PM	#6
BADA$$69 Walking accident Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Laurens, SC Posts: 200	nothing __________________ Laurens, SC 69 C10 W/350 & 700R4 89 Mustang GT

12-10-2002, 05:03 PM	#1
BADA$$69 Walking accident Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Laurens, SC Posts: 200	454 problem I just got finished putting a 454 in my truck, but it will not start. I have the rotor in the right position and my wires on right (firing order 18436572). I'm getting fire to the plugs and gas in the carb but it will not even act like its going to start. The engine was in a 71 chevy truck (not original engine) I bought and it ran fine in it. All I did was took it out of the other truck and put it in mine. The engine is a 91 model. Any help will be greatly appreciated. __________________ Laurens, SC 69 C10 W/350 & 700R4 89 Mustang GT

12-10-2002, 05:36 PM	#7
Long Knight Spank 'em if you got 'em! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kansas City Posts: 628	Ran into the same problem a few weeks ago when I put in my electronic ignition. Put the distributor in one "notch" too far. Wouldn't even start. You should also check to make sure you have your engine block grounded to the frame. __________________ Long Knight '71 C-20, 350ci, TH350, Edl. 1406 Carb w/elec.choke, Ignitor ignition, Viper Tires, Orange Dipstick

12-10-2002, 05:38 PM	#8
694X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: utica, oh, Posts: 249	wow that is weird. I am out of ideas right now i will have to think about that over night. __________________ 69 3/4 ton 4x4 gmc with 6" sky jacker soft ride. 350 / th350 / 205 work in progress

12-10-2002, 05:41 PM	#9
BADA$$69 Walking accident Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Laurens, SC Posts: 200	I am using solid motor mounts so I think that should be enough ground (I think). __________________ Laurens, SC 69 C10 W/350 & 700R4 89 Mustang GT

12-10-2002, 05:47 PM	#10
694X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: utica, oh, Posts: 249	for ****s and giggles run a cable from the battery - post to the motor. Where is you negative run to now? Most all that I have seen have been to the alt. bracket. __________________ 69 3/4 ton 4x4 gmc with 6" sky jacker soft ride. 350 / th350 / 205 work in progress

12-10-2002, 05:49 PM	#11
BADA$$69 Walking accident Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Laurens, SC Posts: 200	I am going to try that now. It is bolted to the radiator support. __________________ Laurens, SC 69 C10 W/350 & 700R4 89 Mustang GT

12-10-2002, 05:52 PM	#12
694X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: utica, oh, Posts: 249	I think long night is right on this one. How did you check to see that you where getting spark? __________________ 69 3/4 ton 4x4 gmc with 6" sky jacker soft ride. 350 / th350 / 205 work in progress

12-10-2002, 05:58 PM	#13
Long Knight Spank 'em if you got 'em! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kansas City Posts: 628	When I put my motor in a while back I ran my ground from the battery to the radiator. Ended up having to go directly to the block (LOL took us a lot of beer to figure that one out!) __________________ Long Knight '71 C-20, 350ci, TH350, Edl. 1406 Carb w/elec.choke, Ignitor ignition, Viper Tires, Orange Dipstick

12-10-2002, 06:01 PM	#14
72gmcshorty Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Delta, British Columbia Posts: 1,344	I had the same problem with my motor too. Turned the key and nothing at all. Just about pulled out all my hair until my friend mentioned the neutral saftery switch. Wouldn't you know it, it was loose on the steering column. Plugged it back in and motor started NO PROBLEM!! __________________ 1992 Gmc 2wd 1972 Chevy Blazer 2wd

12-10-2002, 06:24 PM	#15
BADA$$69 Walking accident Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Laurens, SC Posts: 200	The way I checked to see if I had spark was I took the #1 wire off and connected it to plug and pressed it against the block and then turned the engine over. I grounded the block and I ran the negative battery cable to the block and still nothing. __________________ Laurens, SC 69 C10 W/350 & 700R4 89 Mustang GT



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12-10-2002, 06:36 PM	#16
chevy2racr So Many Ideas, So Little Money Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 1,610	I'd suggest putting charger on ur batter for awhile to, never know if that spark aint quite enough tofire it. it happened to meonce.. good luck __________________ 72 Blazer 3/4 ton running gear 4.10s NP205/TH350 350 4in lift half doors 71 C10 with 454 99 S-10 5.1L SBC 700R4 09 Malibu Marshalltown, Iowa

12-10-2002, 06:49 PM	#17
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	Sounds to me that timing is still off. Are you aligning the line on the harmonic balancer up on zero at TDC? You may have it 180 out. Ben

12-10-2002, 07:40 PM	#18
BADA$$69 Walking accident Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Laurens, SC Posts: 200	Yes, I aligned the line on the harmonic balancer up on zero at TDC. I am tired of fooling with it. I guess I'll try again tomorrow. Here is a pic of the not running 454. Attached Images __________________ Laurens, SC 69 C10 W/350 & 700R4 89 Mustang GT

12-10-2002, 07:53 PM	#19
fast_dev Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Ringtown,PA Posts: 555	mine did the same thing, i did the same as you with the timing and couldn't get it to start, i kept telling everyone how i did the timing and everyone said it was correct, however just because i couldn't stand it anymore, i was up for anything, my friend pulled the wires off the cap one at a time and rotated them counterclockwise one position and it started up, it didn't make sense but it ran!!! DEV. __________________ 68 chevy 406 small block, budget drag racer, new best e.t 11.91 @112 67 nova numbers matching 327 4 speed 13.6 @ 102mph 70 longhorn c-30 402/4 speed 70 c-10 swb 402, muncie 4 speed 94 s-10 350/th350 3:73 posi 71 c-20 402/th400 towrig for racetruck. 72 4wd lifted on 35's 72 350/3 speed winter beater

12-10-2002, 07:54 PM	#20
68 with 350 TPI Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wingate NC Posts: 456	Sounds to me like the timming is off one way or the other. You need...... fuel, spark, O2 , correct timming, and compression to start a engine. I would try a little starting fluid to see if the engine even trys to start. __________________ Life is good with a 6-71 supercharged 355 in a 72 camaro

12-11-2002, 07:39 PM	#21
BADA$$69 Walking accident Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Laurens, SC Posts: 200	I finally got it to start. I installed a super coil on my dist. and I didn't put the rotor button in right. It wasn't sticking out of the inside of the dist. I fixed the rotor button and it fired right up. __________________ Laurens, SC 69 C10 W/350 & 700R4 89 Mustang GT

12-11-2002, 09:13 PM	#22
694X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: utica, oh, Posts: 249	Good to hear man you had me pulling out my hair trying to figure out what was wrong. But i thought you said you had spark? Maybe not enough to get a fire. __________________ 69 3/4 ton 4x4 gmc with 6" sky jacker soft ride. 350 / th350 / 205 work in progress

12-12-2002, 12:09 AM	#23
chevy2racr So Many Ideas, So Little Money Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 1,610	I like ur valve covers, they look better in a clean engine compartment than they do in mine __________________ 72 Blazer 3/4 ton running gear 4.10s NP205/TH350 350 4in lift half doors 71 C10 with 454 99 S-10 5.1L SBC 700R4 09 Malibu Marshalltown, Iowa

12-12-2002, 12:25 AM	#24
BADA$$69 Walking accident Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Laurens, SC Posts: 200	Thanks __________________ Laurens, SC 69 C10 W/350 & 700R4 89 Mustang GT

12-12-2002, 12:50 AM	#25
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	Doh!. I remember when my 74 wouldnt start I had too many beer and forgot i had the coil un hooker. Thats good it wasn't major but what a pain! __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

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