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Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:33 pm

I am currently in the process (towards the end) of a decent sized project on my '68. Removed and replaced the engine and wiring harness and now it will not start. It does crank, but won't turn over. Connections are all good, and I am just a little confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Here is the current setup.

Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:36 pm

Check for spark, since you said it might be electrical related. Have a friend crank the engine for 2 seconds while you hold a plug wire 1/4" away from its' terminal on the dizzy, if no spark, then start looking for electrical.

The plug wires don't look like they are connected correctly... double check that - I had a friend help me once and he plugged them all in wrong and that would make it not able to start too.

I would also re-route your fuel line/filter far away from the intake casting - it invites vapor lock down the road. But first things first.

Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:45 pm

Quote: Check for spark, since you said it might be electrical related. Have a friend crank the engine for 2 seconds while you hold a plug wire 1/4" away from its' terminal on the dizzy, if no spark, then start looking for electrical.

The plug wires don't look like they are connected correctly... double check that - I had a friend help me once and he plugged them all in wrong and that would make it not able to start too.

I would also re-route your fuel line/filter far away from the intake casting - it invites vapor lock down the road. But first things first.

The plug wires are on the way I took them off. I know they may not look right according to a manual (I once had a very long night because I put them back on according to a manual) but that's why I labeled them and drew a picture, to insure they got on right.

I will try the spark as you suggested. Thanks.

Where do you suggest the fuel line go? Doesn't it have to go that way? I know that it doesn't necessarily have to touch the intake.[/i]

Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:28 pm

I would just extend the fuel line between the pump and the 1st filter (the one resting on the intake casting) and gracefully bow the line toward the firewall, even draping it over the left heater air outlet on the fan shroud.

Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:41 am

Quote: I would just extend the fuel line between the pump and the 1st filter (the one resting on the intake casting) and gracefully bow the line toward the firewall, even draping it over the left heater air outlet on the fan shroud.

You know, I even had it up on that, but I took it down to do something else...I'll put it back up there. :)

Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:39 am

it does look like the firing order is wrong it looks like you have 1-4-2-3 the correct order is 1-4-3-2.

Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:42 am

plus when you replace an engine in my experience you will have to play with the timing till the engine will fire then hook up the timing light to get the timing perfect

Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:17 pm

Quote: plus when you replace an engine in my experience you will have to play with the timing till the engine will fire then hook up the timing light to get the timing perfect

Even if the distributor wasn't touched?

Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:20 pm

You shouldn't have to mess with timing unless you accidentally bumped the distributor. What's the wire hanging in the air above the alt/gen?

Kyle

Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:48 pm

No if you havent bothered the distributor and it was the one that one on that engine when you got it. But if you transplant a dist. from one motor to another then yes.

Sun Nov 08, 2009 6:53 pm

i think i misinterpreted what you were saying i thought you had put a new engine plus a new wiring harness.

Then no if you havent done anything to the dist. your timing should be the same.

With the harness did you do just the engine bay? Main loom? Full system? This matter to track where you could possibly have a bad connection.

BUt it honestly looks like your firing order is off. or i could just be reading the wiring tags wrong.

Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:01 pm

It looks like your generator ground wire isn't connected from the pics??

Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:24 pm

THat wouldnt have any affect on it but yes it is disconnected.

Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:25 pm

Are you talking about the diagnostic wire? I had a diagnostic 4th wire running to my generator, but it is useless now, so I cut it all out.

Firing order does look wrong if I am making out the numbers right.

Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:28 pm

the choke is all the way open. it shouldnt be open if you were just trying to start it. Check you choke and see if there is any tension on it maybe the choke spiring is broke.

Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:47 pm

Quote: You shouldn't have to mess with timing unless you accidentally bumped the distributor. What's the wire hanging in the air above the alt/gen?

Kyle

It's a leftover wire...a ground wire. It just is connected to the body by the voltage regulator. Since the motor isn't a '68, the '68 main loom didn't match up 100%.

Quote: With the harness did you do just the engine bay? Main loom? Full system? This matter to track where you could possibly have a bad connection.

BUt it honestly looks like your firing order is off. or i could just be reading the wiring tags wrong.

I just got the main loom. What makes it difficult is that the years don't match up...'72 motor and a '68 harness. Also, the "wiring tag" are just that, they are tags. I didn't label them by the appropriate cylinder number. Just did it quick to remember where they go...they are in the right spot...but thanks for the concern! :)

Quote: the choke is all the way open. it shouldnt be open if you were just trying to start it. Check you choke and see if there is any tension on it maybe the choke spiring is broke.

When we tried to start it, the choke closed, so it is working right.

Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:13 pm

I saw you mentioned checking for spark, did you do that? results?
Have you checked the coil? results?

Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:31 pm

Quote: I saw you mentioned checking for spark, did you do that? results?
Have you checked the coil? results?

I wish. The car is in a shop 25 minutes away, and I work evenings. And today was mine and my wife's baby shower, so a little busy today. I will call the guy tomorrow and ask him to check that and a few other things.

Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:35 pm

Been there. It gets real old real quick driving back and forth. I finally pulled the engine and have it in my basement for the winter while the car is in storage. My wife hates it, but she gets to park her car in our one car garage, so I get to keep an engine in the basement.

Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:42 am

Congrats on the baby!