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Just can't get the darn engine started!!??##HELP!!

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Bruce_B

Bruce_B

Jedi Warrior
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HELP!! I've been posting for help and trying things but can't get the rebuilt (by me) 1275 engine started in the car. I've still got things to do but I wanted to hear the engine go VROOM as a motivator to keep going.

Details:
Rebuilt engine 1275
Pistons: +40
Swift Cam and timing gears.
Modified Head
Swift Rockers
Single 1.75# Carb.
Standard Dizy with Pertronix
Hi-Torque Starter

Things I've checked:

Spark - OK
Wiring Order - OK
#1 Cylinder at TDC with valves about closed and rotor pointing to #1 wire.

I'll get a sputter or two with some ether shot in, that's it. I don't have accelerator attached, but I lift the piston, open carb spray ether, try to start.

This weekend I'm pulling off the timing cover to make sure things are as they should be, maybe also take off the head, if things look ok.
Getting mighty discouraged.

Any ideas/help/drivebys (in Lambertville NJ, across from New Hope) suggestions appreciated.
Even if the carb is screwed up wouldn't the engine start with starter fluid?

Thanks
 
well if you getting spark and gas it could be the timing mine is very very finicky.
I had to rig a ignition switch under the hood so I could try and start it with one hand and rotate the distributer in the outer.

cheery
steve
 
Ground Wire to Chassis?

Go back to Points Temporarily on Pertronix to eliminate that as a potentia lcause of trouble.
 
Re: Just can't get the darn engine started!!??##HE

Even though my Spridget experience is still very limited, I can concur with the touchy timing thing. When I reinstalled my 1098 it would not fire until the dizzy was close too good and it was only a slight turn between NO GO and GO. Matter of 5 degrees or so. Try turning the distributor slightly clockwise, try to run, try a bit more, and so forth.
 
Re: Just can't get the darn engine started!!??##HE

You wrote:

"#1 Cylinder at TDC with valves about closed and rotor pointing to #1 wire."

"ABOUT" closed when at the top of the compression stroke and ready to fire? The valves should be FULLY closed and have been that way for quite a few degrees before the rotor aligns with the #1 post. Recheck cam/crank/dizzy drive gear relationship.

Glen Byrns
 
Re: Just can't get the darn engine started!!??##HE

Bruce, static time it first. If it doesn't light immediately there's something wrong. What you describe ~sounds~ like there's a possibility you have the dizzy 180* out. Try running the plugwires with what you now have as #1 onto #4, flip the other two as well. Crank it and see.
 
Re: Just can't get the darn engine started!!??##HE

I bet with Doc. 180 out.
 
Re: Just can't get the darn engine started!!??##HE

As doc stated above check the dizzy to make sure you're not 180 degrees out. You might want to check your valves too and make sure you don't have them overadjusted. I did on mine after rebuild and when I first tried to start it I had similar problems to what you're experiencing.
 
Re: Just can't get the darn engine started!!??##HE

Jim...what do you mean by overadjusted...to tight...to loose?
 
Re: Just can't get the darn engine started!!??##HE

By over-adjusted I am sure what he means is too tight. Too tight and no compression-hence no draw and no pop. Remember you just squeezed the heck out of that head gasket and it may still be coming down a bit. Just check to make sure you can get the appropriate feeler guage in all eight of them using the rule of nine. make sure the dist rotor is pointed at number one wire with the motor at TDC, wires oriented 1-3-4-2, and both valves on number one fully closed. It'll pop, it has to, has no other choice. Does spark correct?
 
Re: Just can't get the darn engine started!!??##HE

Start as suggested with adjusting the valves if the head has been off. While the rocker cover is off, look at your rocker arms for cylinder #1. With the rotor pointed towards #1 spark plug wire, the rocker arms for #1 cylinder should be slightly loose. The arms for #4 should be "down" and compressing the valve springs. This will tell you if your dizzy is 180 out or not.

I also agree with Jim that to get the engine started you may want to go back to points to eliminate one more variable.
 
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