Hi guys,

I am in the final stages of putting together my 69 SS/RS 350 (all orig - #'s matching) ... and I can't get it to start. The engine was rebuilt and it has the original distributor with a Pertonix ignition module mounted inside the distributor cap.

I found TDC on piston #1 compression stroke (using drilled out old spark plug and hose into water bottle method) and found that, as expected after the rebuild, the harmonic balancer lined up to 0 degrees. Then I pointed the distributor roughly at the #1 piston and lightly tightened the distributor hold down clamp. I pre-primed the new fuel lines from the tank and I have observed that fuel is spritzing into the carb.

Then I tried starting with the distributor approx. in the middle of it's rotatable range - no hint of ignition. Then I rotated the distributor to one extreme of it's rotatable range and the engine seemed like it wanted to start - but no luck. So I pulled each plug and observed that each was a little wet with gas so it seems I flooded it. I dried each with a paper towel and put them back in - but still no luck in starting.

Not sure what to try next. Since the engine almost fired on one extreme of the distributor range, I'm thinking to spin the distributor one notch and try it again. Any suggestions would be really appreciated. (love this site!).

Ed

Have you checked to make sure you have spark at the plugs. That's what I would check. If you have fuel and spark and get it timed it should start.

Also make sure your plug wires are in the correct firing order 18436572. And on the correct cylinder plug.

When you said you pointed the dist to #1 piston. Do you mean you pointed the rotor button to the #1 position on the dist?

Use a timing light on the plug wires to make sure current is traveling down them. The light should come on close to #1 TDC compression stroke if you connect it to that wire. If the timing light lights and the plugs are wet, it will fire even if the dizzy/plug wires are off. It may may backfire which isn't good for a new engine, but it should fire.

Sounds like coil, dizzy, or no power from battery to coil.

Turn the motor to #1 fire and line up the balancer mark with the 14 deg. BTDC mark on the pointer. Turn the distributor clockwise till the vacuum can hits something. Hook up your timing light and turn the ignition on. With the timing light pointed so you can see the lens, turn the distributor CCW till the light flashes and lock the distributor there. If you go too far turn it clockwise and then counter-clockwise till you see the flash. You're not pointing the light at the balancer, you're just looking for the light to flash. The timing is now set at 14 deg. BTDC within 1-2 deg. Certainly close enough to start so don't turn it any more.

The distributor is probably off by a tooth!....Assuming all the valves are adjusted properly, try this: Remove #1 spark plug, remove distributor cap....Put your finger over the #1 spark plug hole, have someone bump the starter over till you feel compression, check the timing mark on the damper, it should be @ TDC......Now, check the rotor position, it should be pointing towards the #1 distributor cap tower, if not, then you know what you'll have to do!

I am going to bet you were not on the compression stroke, (firing #1) when you put in your distributor. Start over at the beginning again. The easiest way for me to know that I am firing # 1, is that both valves should be closed. That means both rocker arms will feel loose.
(take off your valve cover !)

Thanks guys. Turned out the distributor was off a tooth. Made the correction and she fired up like a damn! Yee Haw!

Thanks guys. Turned out the distributor was off a tooth. Made the correction and she fired up like a damn! Yee Haw!


This is exactly what I thought would be the problem!:yes:....And it's usually caused by that damn oil pump shaft!:yes:.....The next time you install the distributor and it doesn't drop down all the way, have someone bump over the motor until the distributor drops down flush with the intake manifold!