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Engine not starting
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LiamT1
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 11:02 pm    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

I am going to do a compression test on it tomorrow to check the valve clearance in case some of them have stuck or something else.

Do you mean the two holes in the fan shroud for the heaters? They have been bunged up but I do have some small holes that need bunging up.

I did make that mistake initially and the cap wasn’t seated but It is now.

I thought the timing was set about correct because the distributor body doesn’t really care where it sits as long as the cap and leads are in the correct locations?
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1968BUGMAN
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 6:55 am    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

Im not sure if it matters, but I would recommend taking off the plug wires and the cap, turning it to the right spot, then putting the engine at TDC, then put the rotor in the right spot. For static timing you have to make sure that the #1 cylinder will be firing, so this is why the rotor placement and plug wires are important. You can now put the pulley at about 10 BTDC, now perform your static timing. After this is done you can put the cap on, and the plug wires, ensuring that the firing order is right. Also, if you haven't already check your points. I would do this prior to compression as it will probably be faster, it will take 10 minutes tops. If this and compression doesn't work then take off a valve cover and make sure that when the engine is at TDC the proper valves are actually open. Otherwise timing isn't going to matter. I hope this helps! Oh and yes we meant the holes in the fan shroud, if you have them blocked then your all good.
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ashman40
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 8:22 am    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

Give this page from Speedy Jim's site a read:
http://www.speedyjim.net/htm/eng_strt.htm
Run each of the tests he suggests even if you have already run it in the past. You are trying to identify whether you are missing sufficient compression, air-fuel or spark. I know you have said you checked before, but just follow his steps skipping nothing.

The section titled "The test" will definitively identify where your #1 spark plug wire should be located on the distributor. Follow this very carefully. It always works because it makes no assumptions on where the #1 wire on the cap belongs. It confirms the correct position based on crank and valve movement. When #1 cylinder is at the end of the compression stroke the rotor MUST BE pointing to the #1 spark plug wire post on the cap. It has to because the distributor's sole job is to deliver a spark to the cylinder that is needing that spark. Once you know where #1 plug wire goes on the cap, the rest of the wires are installed CW in the order 1-4-3-2 (as it states on the base of the generator stand).

Report back you finding after running all of Speedy Jim's tests.


I see from your above pic that your have a "well worn" degree crank pulley. I see notches on your pulley. Most aluminum pulleys don't have notches which tells me these were added by someone. Have you confirmed where the TDC mark is and that it is correct? Here is a pic of an aftermarket degree pulley.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

You can see that when TDC is lined up at 12-o'clock, the key slot on the ID of the pulley is at 9-o'clock. Have you confirmed your TDC mark is exactly 90-deg CW from the woodruff keyway slot?


Where are you setting your ignition timing statically? I usually suggest 5-7BTDC just to get the engine started. Can you post close up pics of your crank pulley and its markings and what they mean? I can see what looks like two notches on the rim of the crank pulley. On a stock pulley the one on the rear-facing lip is usually TDC and the front lip mark is the ignition timing mark. But since degree pulleys normally have no notches your marks could mean anything.
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1968BUGMAN
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 8:39 am    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

That is why you have to check TDC with the valves or another way.
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 10:56 am    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

The wire position looks off to me as well. OP, you need to get the engine on TDC. Confirm by looking at the valves. Then take off the distributor cap. Look at what post the rotor is pointing at. Find the corresponding terminal on the cap. That's where you hook #1 to. Then go around th cap clockwise with the rest of the firing order.

That should get you close enough to start it. If you have a helper or a remote start button, you can crank the engine and rotate the distributor a bit advance or retard. If it sounds like it's fighting, retard it. If it sounds like it's trying to run, but weak, advance it.
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1968BUGMAN
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 20, 2021 9:51 am    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

Were you able to check things yesterday? I hope you are able to get it running, and that it is only a small problem. Let us know how things are going.
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 20, 2021 11:53 am    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

Hi all,

Thank you for all of your responses, I really appreciate your help.

I have managed to do a compression test on the engine this morning and all 4 cylinders are reading well.

I am going to double check timing and also go back through the carb and clean spark plugs because that all is left.

I will let you know my results
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 20, 2021 12:01 pm    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

99% chance that it is timing then
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 20, 2021 2:06 pm    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

If your distributor drive gear wasn't installed per the book #1 on your cap could be anywhere so you have to put the motor on TDC then wiggle the rockers to make sure your not on #3 then look at the rotor and loosen the clamp and rotate the distributor until the notch on dist. body lines up with rotor then put the cap on and put the wires in starting with #1 then go counter clockwise putting in next#2, #3, and #4. (how was that for a long sentence?) Now fire it up!
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1968BUGMAN
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 20, 2021 2:11 pm    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

That was better wording than me, but that is exactly what I've kind of been trying to convey. I also had a problem with the distributor that came on my car, Empi 009, where it kept popping out of the gear. A switch to CB magnaspark and my problems were gone. That doesn't seem to be your case though.
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 20, 2021 6:56 pm    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

I'm going to ask this question one more time . Do you have a service/maintenance manual?
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 21, 2021 11:49 pm    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

I will go back through the timing and follow your steps. After reading through an exploded view of the carb I have realised that the idle air spring is missing (the one that is onto the air screw), not sure how but I’m guessing that maybe a culprit to my issue.

Yes I do have a couple of manuals that I follow
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 22, 2021 7:03 am    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

The spring is needed for the throttle to return but it should still run without it. You could also make sure that your jets are clean if timing doesn't help. Or just pour gas into the carb to eliminate that variable.
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 10:38 am    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

How has this been going? Were you able to get it to run?
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 10:55 am    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

Sounds like something might be up with the fuel pump. Is it pumping fuel?
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 10:57 am    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

You can take the fuel line that is on the carb off and put it in a bottle and crank it over. But to eliminate carb jets/fuel pump you could pour a bit of gas in the carbs while trying to start it after timing.
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 11:13 am    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

Hi all,

Yes I have tested the fuel pump and it pumps out a good amount of fuel.

I did start it this morning and noticed that only cylinders 1 and 2 were firing so will look into spark plugs and ht leads now
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 11:54 am    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

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Read text on this one
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 11:56 am    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

If they aren't firing it very well could be the plugs, but once again completely verify timing, plug orientation, its far easier than taking out plugs, especially if the engine is new there should be no need for new plugs.
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 12:04 pm    Post subject: Re: Engine not starting Reply with quote

I have checked the plug orientation against TDC and all seems good, I did just check and out them 180 degrees out and it didn’t spark at all so they must be correct. I have found the spark plugs that I originally took out the engine and will try them Monday and if not, the leads
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