SBC 350 with new cam will not start, only pops a couple times then nothing.

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buddy350

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Driving myself Nutts over here in Plano,Texas.

1977 3/4 pick up with a sbc 350 HEI distributor.

Motor was running before the cam swap.

Added a RV cam, New lifters and push rods,Edlebrock performer intake, Quadrajet spread bore to square bore adapter, all back together and will not start.
Valves have been adjusted and rechecked multiple times. They are all set with just a minute amount of play when in the relaxed "no load" position.

The only thing the motor will do is pop off occasionally then nothing.

Crank gear was set to 12 Oclock and Cam gear set to 6 O clock.

Then Motor was turned over to put Cam gear at 12 O clock and Crank gear at 6 O clock to get TDC on #1.

Distributor was installed pointing in the general vicinity of the Number one cylinder.

I have been using 2,1,8,4,3,6,5,7 firing order in the clockwise direction.

Have The Plug wires all connected to the correct cylinders, The Carb is spraying fuel.
Pulled the plugs and they are getting spark.

Tried re stabbing the distributor 180 degrees several times going back and forth and also pulled the driver valve cover and rechecked TDC compression stroke then restabbed the Dist and all that has ever happened is an occasional pop.
I have also tried both ways with the dist and advancing and retarding the dist.

I am so frustrated.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
I could sure use it.

BTW I am on my second starter.

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Honky Kong jr

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Driving myself Nutts over here in Plano,Texas.

1977 3/4 pick up with a sbc 350 HEI distributor.

Motor was running before the cam swap.

Added a RV cam, New lifters and push rods,Edlebrock performer intake, Quadrajet spread bore to square bore adapter, all back together and will not start.
Valves have been adjusted and rechecked multiple times. They are all set with just a minute amount of play when in the relaxed "no load" position.

The only thing the motor will do is pop off occasionally then nothing.

Crank gear was set to 12 Oclock and Cam gear set to 6 O clock.

Then Motor was turned over to put Cam gear at 12 O clock and Crank gear at 6 O clock to get TDC on #1.

Distributor was installed pointing in the general vicinity of the Number one cylinder.

I have been using 2,1,8,4,3,6,5,7 firing order in the clockwise direction.

Have The Plug wires all connected to the correct cylinders, The Carb is spraying fuel.
Pulled the plugs and they are getting spark.

Tried re stabbing the distributor 180 degrees several times going back and forth and also pulled the driver valve cover and rechecked TDC compression stroke then restabbed the Dist and all that has ever happened is an occasional pop.
I have also tried both ways with the dist and advancing and retarding the dist.

I am so frustrated.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
I could sure use it.

BTW I am on my second started

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You hav your firing order wrong
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Fixed it lol
 
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gpmorgan

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Your timing chain gears should be dot to dot also.
 

buddy350

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Ok

Thank you
I did something wrong according to that HEI diagram, I have been starting Number my firing order 1 where the diagram is calling 3.
WOW

If I was not sitting in my pajamas about to go to bed I would run out to the shop and rewire.
 

buddy350

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This is how I have my current plug wires.

I wonder why this diagram conflicts with the diagram posted by Honky Kong JR.

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Honky Kong jr

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This is how I have my current plug wires.

I wonder why this diagram conflicts with the diagram posted by Honky Kong JR.

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The one I posted looks retarded the info is correct just the HEI part is inverted.
 

buddy350

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Look at where #2 is on this diagram then look at where it is on Honky Kong Jr's diagram.
On Honky Kong Jr's diagram the connector is labeled with #3 and #4 on either side of, then the diagram I have posted shows to have #7 and #2 on either side of the connector.

Not sure whats going on.

I am such a novice.
 

gpmorgan

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You need to get number one cyl up on the compression stroke and see which terminal the rotor is pointing to on the cap. You can make number one where ever it is pointing. Bump my last post. I reread your post and you have your cam and crank gears correct.
 

buddy350

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The one I posted looks retarded the info is correct just the HEI part is inverted.


It is inverted?

I am so confused?

The distributor does not look inverted.
 

twinturbo427

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Slow down people.
Dot to dot is correct for installing the new gears.
Both dots up at 12 o'clock is correct for #1 tdc.
Be careful of illustrations because they are not always accurate for many reasons.
The pic HK shared shows the connector for the hei aligned towards the passenger side if you are looking at the front of the engine.
I have always used the 1st position clockwise of the connector (on drivers side) as #1 and stabbed the distributor as such.
It doesnt matter where on the cap you put #1 as long as that is where the rotor is pointing at tdc or close.
 

twinturbo427

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Look at all the posts popping up so fast and not a single blip about his pajamas! ;):)
 

Honky Kong jr

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Slow down people.
Dot to dot is correct for installing the new gears.
Both dots up at 12 o'clock is correct for #1 tdc.
Be careful of illustrations because they are not always accurate for many reasons.
The pic HK shared shows the connector for the hei aligned towards the passenger side if you are looking at the front of the engine.
I have always used the 1st position clockwise of the connector (on drivers side) as #1 and stabbed the distributor as such.
It doesnt matter where on the cap you put #1 as long as that is where the rotor is pointing at tdc or close.
I clipped the ****** pic.
 

Honky Kong jr

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Look at where #2 is on this diagram then look at where it is on Honky Kong Jr's diagram.
On Honky Kong Jr's diagram the connector is labeled with #3 and #4 on either side of, then the diagram I have posted shows to have #7 and #2 on either side of the connector.

Not sure whats going on.

I am such a novice.
I removed that part of the pic because of the way the cap is facing. Sorry for any confusion.
 

Honky Kong jr

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This is how I have my current plug wires.

I wonder why this diagram conflicts with the diagram posted by Honky Kong JR.

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Go by this mine sucked
 

shiftpro

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Valves have been adjusted and rechecked multiple times. They are all set with just a minute amount of play when in the relaxed "no load" position.

This doesn't sound right. Hydraulic lifters I suppose? If so you don't leave any play. When the cam is lobe down, 'no load' as you described, you tighten until all the play is gone then preload 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn down on the nut. If there is play in the valve to lifter on hydraulic cams, your valves will not be opening enough. This shouldn't effect starting but sure as hell will effect idle and loss of power.
 

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