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73 351 Cleveland Problems. Still.

S

southern_boy

Member
So we got the new distributor dropped in and wired up, then, we tried it, and nothing. We ran a hot wire, and it started right up for a split second, and as quick as it started, it died, and nothing else happened. Why???
 
I assume you know how to check your complete ignition system.
Crank at TDC and rotor in dizzy pointing at 1 cylinder.
I believe the rotor goes counterclockwise and you know the firingorder ??
Make sure that is right.
Porre some fuel in the carburator and start the engine.If it fires right up , you have a fuel problem.
Otherwise you have an ignition problem.
My 0.02ct opinion.
 
"B67FSTB" said:
I assume you know how to check your complete ignition system.
Crank at TDC and rotor in dizzy pointing at 1 cylinder.
I believe the rotor goes counterclockwise and you know the firingorder ??
Make sure that is right.
Porre some fuel in the carburator and start the engine.If it fires right up , you have a fuel problem.
Otherwise you have an ignition problem.
My 0.02ct opinion.
Click to expand...

I really dont know how to check the complete ignition system, and its getting gas in the carburetor, everytime you push the throttle its squirting gas every time. and we tried porring fuel in the carb.
 
After reading your thread again , it occurs to me that you have no connection between the plus (+) from the coil and the ignition switch.
During cranking the engine , the ignition gets it current from the starter solenoid.
When you stop cranking the engine ( the engine fires up) the ignition gets it current from the ignition/starter switch.
Look for that feed.Try to post a wiring diagram from its ignition system.
 
"B67FSTB" said:
After reading your thread again , it occurs to me that you have no connection between the plus (+) from the coil and the ignition switch.
During cranking the engine , the ignition gets it current from the starter solenoid.
When you stop cranking the engine ( the engine fires up) the ignition gets it current from the ignition/starter switch.
Look for that feed.Try to post a wiring diagram from its ignition system.
Click to expand...

We cranked it after we put the hot wire.
 
First , at all times you have to have at least 10 volts at the + pole of the coil.Take a voltagemeter to check.
When you have this , pull a boot from a spark plug and put in another spark plug and lay it down so it is grounded to the engine.
When you now crank the engine , you should see if you have ignition.When so , you have a fuel failure.

How did you established that hot wire ?? Did you run a wire from the + pole of the battery?
Take a startercabel and connect the - pole of the battery with the engine itself.

I have a thick wire from the - pole of the battery to the framerail. And from the frame rail to the engine/trans.
Modern cars are setup like this .Ground straps are very important !!
 
"southern_boy" said:
So we got the new distributor dropped in and wired up, then, we tried it, and nothing. We ran a hot wire, and it started right up for a split second, and as quick as it started, it died, and nothing else happened. Why???
Click to expand...

Instead of chasing your tail, go back to the basic set up.
Start by dropping in the stock pointed dist and do a TDC timing set for points and timing.
This will at least let you see if will run or you have other issues causing the start problem.
 
"Mach1Rider" said:
Instead of chasing your tail, go back to the basic set up.
Start by dropping in the stock pointed dist and do a TDC timing set for points and timing.
This will at least let you see if will run or you have other issues causing the start problem.
Click to expand...

Thats exactly what I did though. It has a stock points dizzy in it. And we did put it back on TDC.
 
"B67FSTB" said:
First , at all times you have to have at least 10 volts at the + pole of the coil.Take a voltagemeter to check.
When you have this , pull a boot from a spark plug and put in another spark plug and lay it down so it is grounded to the engine.
When you now crank the engine , you should see if you have ignition.When so , you have a fuel failure.

How did you established that hot wire ?? Did you run a wire from the + pole of the battery?
Take a startercabel and connect the - pole of the battery with the engine itself.

I have a thick wire from the - pole of the battery to the framerail. And from the frame rail to the engine/trans.
Modern cars are setup like this .Ground straps are very important !!
Click to expand...

We ran it from the + pole of the battery. And run a cable to the engine itself even though the negative battery cable goes to the engine block?
 
"Mach1Rider" said:
Instead of chasing your tail, go back to the basic set up.
Start by dropping in the stock pointed dist and do a TDC timing set for points and timing.
This will at least let you see if will run or you have other issues causing the start problem.
Click to expand...

We switched it back to points from a Mallory Electronic Ignition that it had when I got it.
 
Are you sure you don't have ignition? and not a fuel problem ?
Unhook the condensor at your dizzy.
Pics please .

BTW Determinate TDC , you can be 360 degree out of timing.
TDC = Piston 1st cylinder at highest point AND both valves closest !!!
 
"B67FSTB" said:
Are you sure you don't have ignition? and not a fuel problem ?
Unhook the condensor at your dizzy.
Pics please .

BTW Determinate TDC , you can be 360 degree out of timing.
TDC = Piston 1st cylinder at highest point AND both valves closest !!!
Click to expand...

I dont get how you can have a fuel problem when you can see gas going into the carb though =/
 
Ground a plug to the block and see if you have spark. If you do, it is almost certain you have the timing screwed up. Probably 180 degrees out. Pretty common mistake.

If you don't have spark, and you think it is wired right, check your points gap.
 
So it tried to run but stalled?
Then go back thru the settings of points, timing and connections.
It is possiable the condenser got fried by the direct wire from the batt if left on for too long, change it.
The more info you can post will help in getting it going.
 
It tried to run, then died as fast as it started. And I bought a new condensor for it, any secret to it being put in or is it just unscrew and screw back in?
 
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