Help Jeep will not start!!

[PAJEEPER]

Ok my J20 has been sitting for a year not running. I've put alot of new parts on the engine including a Holley carb which I rebuilt. My problem is probably in the timing since it got messed up when I replaced the timing chain/gears. The truck will shoot fire and smoke out of the carb and the cable to the starter gets pretty hot. I've set the timing right as far as I know. I'm no good at all at this timing though. If you have any suggestions let me know.

[Dive 30]

Can you crank it while watching your timing light or #1 spark plug?

I had my timing 180deg off (on exhaust instead of compression) did the same thing. The way I discovered this is that my timing light wouldn't illuminate my timing mark.

I (being mechanically challenged to say the least) had to roll the motor over by hand several times to make sure I was on compression (**** exhaust valves hissing anyway) to get it right. You really can feel the compression on your thumb as you roll the motor over though, kind of a PITA to do by yourself. Then just line the TDC mark on the line on the harmonic balancer. Then turn your distributor until the rotor is contacting the #1 spark plug. This will give a base timing of 0 deg BTDC. The motor will run, just not really well. Then you can adjust your timing accordingly.

Other thing, you said that your starter was getting hot. How are your grounds? You should have one jumpering the Driver's side motor mount (base on frame to base on motor) and one from the battery to the AC compressor bracket. Unless you were cranking excessively, I would think that too much resistance on the ground side (I'm assuming that you've checked the solenoid and positive cable) would cause extreme heat.

I hope that helps

Phil

[PAJEEPER]

Thanks Dive.

I'm gonna have to borrow or buy a timing light. That should fix it up I did try what you said but maybe its wrong.

I dont know if this has anything to do with or not but the spark has an orangish color to it. I thought a strong spark should be blue?

[Dive 30]

Yeah, strong spark should be blue. Where are you checking spark? At the plug or at the coil?

[OBX-AUTOMOTIVE]

WHAT ABOUT THE DOTS.....ARE YOU SURE THAT YOU ARE NOT ONE TOOTH OFF ON THE TIMING..... GEAR,REPLACEMENT...TDC..EX AND IN CLOSED.....LOOK AT ROTOR...IS IT POINTING TO NO 1 ? ME!!!!!!...PS OR IT COULD BEEEE TEN ZILLION OTHER THINGS!!!!JUST START WITH THE TIMING...COLD...CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK!!! :eek: :rolleyes:

[Don S]

Right ABOUT on the TOOTH ....and on the CAPS...I can see them better with my DOUBLE VISION :eek: :eek: One tooth was a 39deg. advance on timing the 401. It would start cold, barely, and run like a mod. T bucket with an offy head. :D .But wouldn't start hot :mad: ...ds