help my new engine run please

[Zac]

I am really starting to get pissed off cause I cant get this thing started.
I am going to list some information and hopefully one of you will save me.

the engine is a rebuilt 360 edelbrock intake and carb(I think the carb is screwed up because it just came off some engine that was in my garage)
new coil and starter solenoid

I am getting spark.
I am getting compression.
I dont think I am getting fuel but If I poor gas or starter fluid down the carb it will only pop once or twice .
depending on where the distributor is it will usually just shoot flame out the carb or out of the exhaust mani(exhaust isnt hooked up).

soo I am just screwed and I have no idea what to do.
should I just buy a new carb or just blow the thing up?
any info at all would be great
thanks

[The Anti-Chrysler]

Have you checked the timing - are you sure maybe the distributor isn't 180 off?? It sounds like maybe that's the type of problem you're having. Remember, #1 can be at TDC, and be on the EXHAUST stroke, and throw you off. Try rotating the distributor and see what happens.

[Zac]

the harmonic ballencer was pointing at the top dead center mark does that mean it was at tdc?
I will try to rotate it.
I also need some more suggestions because I would like to have a list of things to try because the place I am working in doesnt have a computer.
thanks alot
Zac

[Sitting Bull]

Once or twice popping sounds like a dizzy that's 180 off to me too. You should be able to rule out gas from the carb though - just look for the fuel mist.

I certainly would not put any more starting fluid down the throat until you checked to make sure your not 180 out. That stuff usually causes more problems than it fixes.

DON'T TAKE THIS AS GOSPEL UNTIL SOMEONE CONFIRMS...but to check for 180 out - take out the number one spark plug. Turn the engine clockwise by hand while holding your finger over the hole. When you feel the pressure on your finger, you've started the exhaust stroke - which is what you want. After this pressure is felt, continue turning until you've lined up the timing mark to zero - this is TDC. Now take off yer dizzy cap and make sure your dizzy is pointing at number one.

It's also worth double-checking your plug wires.

[Zac]

how would I have put it in 180 off?

[The Anti-Chrysler]

I think you're really not doing too bad if you have compression, spark and it tries to start more or less. It really sounds like a timing issue, so check as Brad said above, and make sure that you're not 180 off, and give her a go.

[The Anti-Chrysler]

Originally posted by Zac:
how would I have put it in 180 off?It's really an easy thing to do. It happens to the best of us.

[Michael]

180 out for sure. You have the balancer pointing in the right spot...kinda but you have #8 piston up not #1 like you should. Do exactly what Sitting bull said and you should be on the money.

[Zac]

and I am definately not the best
this is the first engine I have rebuilt(I am 17) and the only other help I have is from another 17 year old that knows as much as me.

[joe]

I agree sounds like you dropped the dizzy in at the wrong stroke and it's 180 degrees out. Go with what Brad said but substitute the word "compression" where Brad says "exhaust" stroke.
Then check your wires on the cap and make sure they're going to the correct cylinders in the correct sequence. Just in case you're used to Ford's and to avoid a possible snaffu, an AMC V8's no. 1 cyl is the front drivers side.

[Knucklehead]

MOST IMPORTANT THING is to take your time.

The reason this can happen is because the crank turns twice or every once the cam turns once.

Once you start cranking it over, it is important to get that engine fired up and up to 2000 RPM ASAP. This is to get oil going to the cam and lifters and prevent a wiped cam lobe. BB chevys have a bad habbit of killing cams in the initial startup.

Did you prime the oil pump and pump oil through the motor?

Short of a failed oil pump (rare) the cam is the most fragile thing in the motor.

Do what Brad said. But, you will never spin a new motor (in the truck) by hand. Get your buddy to bump the engine over (slowly) until #1 hole BLOWS your finger out. THen your close. Line up the timing marks exactly (Put it 4th gear and roll it back and forth to get the marks aligned (key off)). Put the distributor in with rotor pointing to #1 terminal on the cap. put the cap on with a timing light on #1 wire. rotate the distributor back and forth til the light fires. Now you have the timing at TDC (0 degrees advanced). Now turn the motor back a little til the mark is at 10 degrees. Rotate the distributor til the light fires and your static timed and should be good to go as far as the timing is concerned.

Get a fire extiguisher! (around starting fluid-ether)

Sorry if this is long but i've had to much coffee...

Jon

[Zac]

yes I primed the oil pump the first time I primed it oil started pouring out I looked under there and I forgot to put the oil filter on. but I put it on and spun it till it was to hard to spin anymore.
I printed this out and next time I am logged in i will let you guys know how it turned out.
thanks
Zac

[Knucklehead]

Zac,

When the pump gets hard to turn, your just getting started. Keep spinning it for a minute or so. Use a drill and an old distributor shaft. It take a while to get the oil filtre filled and oil past it through the rest of the engine.

[Zac]

I was using a drill and a rod that I ground down on the end to fit in the oil pump's shaft I just spun it till the drill wouldnt spin it anymore

[Zac]

It worked!
I also had to replace the carb but now it works awesome all I have to do to get it rolling is to get the driveshafts lengthend
I will be four wheelin in no time

[Knucklehead]

Huray!

Good for you and congrats. Break it in nice and then beat on it.

Nothin sounds better than a tight new motor!

[Sitting Bull]

So, was it just the carb, or was the timing 180 out to?

[Zac]

the carb and the timing.

[KYJ10]

Good to hear Zac, and the tires and rims look good. I always Liked those white rims. I must be very lucky, as I have popped the dizzy in just looking at the balancer, and have always been good. Good luck. Hopefully I'll see you at the East Coast thing. Dennis

[will e]

ZAC. I did the exact same thing when I replaced my timing cover and chain. 180 degrees off. Dumb thing is I had done the same thing on my Ford about 5 years earlier.

After spending a couple of hours trying to get it started, getting frustrated at the idea that I might have to pull it apart, it occured to me what I had done. Turn the dizzy around and it fired right up!