Im all out of ideas? I just picked up a 57 wagon with a 283, the previous owner didn't know if it ran, but it looks like someone had been trying to get it going, they put in a new points distributor, plugs & wires. It turns over fine, has compression on all cylinders, spark, and fuel but I can't get any pop! <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o> </o> I've triple checked firing order, checked all the plugs, and checked the points, everything I can think of but it still won't pop? The only thing Ive noticed is it does seem to have a weak spark at the plugs (light yellow/white spark, not blue). When I removed the plugs they where wet with fuel, so I assume theres not enough spark to ignite? I changed out the coil and double checked that I have 12 volts at the coil during cranking but still nothing? <o> </o> FYI: the only fuel is what Ive poured directly into the carb so I know its not flooded. Any suggestions?
Start off with the simple things, check your rotor phasing first. Fresh condenser and points would not hurt you at this point. Swap for a known good coil, check your timing.
Do you know for a fact that your ignition is set up right? If you haven't already ruled it out I'd check to make sure the rotor is pointing at the #1 cyl. plug wire post when the engine is at 0 TDC. The rotor should be pointing either at the #1 spot or the #6 spot depending if it's on the intake or exhaust stroke. I've seen many people have all the wires a spot off or going in the wrong rotation. Just something to rule out. You'd think that with even some spark you might get a bit of a pop if everything was right or close. Have you tried having someone slowly turn the distributor while you are cranking to see if the timing might be off? If the engine starts to pop at either extreme the distributor may have beeninstalled off one tooth. Just some thoughts. Jay
already changed the coil to one i know works, triple checked firing order and tdc, as i said its a brand new dist (points and condenser). Even if i'm 180 off or off timing it should still pop... Yeah i thought about ether too, just gotta go get it.
Plug wire condition? Plugs gapped right? Points set at the right gap? Sounds like the coil isn't reaching full saturation might be too little gap on the points? Coil wired right? Battery + to + on coil and - to the points? Cheap dist. cap or rotor?
Sounds like you're getting fuel, spark and compression in the combustion chambers, but maybe not in the right sequence. Triple check the distributor installation, as others have said. Given you said that someone installed a new distributor, I suspect the problem lies there.
Some won't like this, but....drop in an HEI, get it running and go through the points/coil/dizzy in the mean time. At least you'll know that the motor is ok. Switch back once you are confident that you have eliminated any possible problems with the original stuff.
You do have the firing order running clockwise? I had been running a 350 Olds several years when I built my first 283 and wired the thing backwards and fought it for two days before figuring it out. Back to the basics. Pull #1 plug and bump the engine over with your finger in or against the plug hole until it blows against your finger and then make sure that the timing mark is lined up to 0 and the rotor is indeed pointing at #1 on the cap. You want the points to just be opening. Check the point gap again and make sure you have the gap set right with the rubbing block of the points right on top of one of the lobes of the distributor cam. Make sure that the condenser and it's holder are tight in the distributor. Cap is clean and free of cracks or carbon tracks Rotor is in good shape. Make sure that the plugs are clean and dry and gaped right. Use something as a little funnel and fill the float bowl with gas through the air vent on top. This will usually give you enough gas to run for several seconds. And yes sometimes they like a bit of starting fluid for that first in a long time start.
point gap should be .018. hei's do make it really easy. gap your plugs according to same year as hei.
Put your old distributor back in . Just because it's new doesn't mean it will work . Double check to make sure the new distributor is on TDC and set to number 1 plug . Firing order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 , it this what you are using ? As for coil , run a hot wire from the positive side of battery to the coil to make sure you are not loosing power in the wiring and ignition switch . That wire will by pass everything ! It just might be the new distributor giving you the trouble . If the plugs are too wet , pull them one by one and burn the gas off the plugs and make sure they are dry ! RetroJim
Thanks for all the suggestions, I pretty much already tried everything suggested. I did end up dropped the HEI in, got a stronger spark at the plug but still no pop. I'm starting to lean towards it's somehthing mechanical. The motor looks like it might be the original so i thinking the timing chain may be WAY streched and possibly jumped a tooth. When trying to find TDC (finger test) it does seem the mark on the balancer is not hitting the timing tab... I guess i'll rip into the timing chain tommorrow too many cuss words already thrown at the car for today.
Just for visual reference as some have said above... http://www.classiccarauto.com/impala/how_to/images/distributor.png and the distrib rotor goes clockwise...
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