Rebuilt 318 install problem

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Calipag

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I am having the toughest time setting the timing on our freshly rebuilt 318 motor. I have set the #1 piston to TDC on the compression stroke. Setting the distributor to 10 degrees advance as a starting point with the vacuum advance disconnected. It will not start consistently, and when it does I can not find the timing mark on the balancer with the timing light. These are the thing I've checked over and over:


1) Spark plug wires in the correct location on cap and motor
2) TDC #1 piston on the compression stroke (The timing line on the balancer matches TDC)
3) New Factory HEI distributor
4) New cap and rotor
5) Running a GM module and Mopar coil - polarity to the distributor has been checked and is correct

When the engine is running it crackles out the carb.

The engine is a 74 318 motor, with a Edelbrock LD4B intake and Edelebrock 600 carb. The engine has an RV cam and the heads were milled .015.

I just can't understand were I'm going wrong. I am pulling what little hair I have left out!

I have a link (video) to the motor running , i'm not sure if the link will work.

iCloud - Loading …

Save my sanity and tell me what I'm doing wrong!

Thank you!!!!
 
Where is the timing mark ? Take your timing light and go around the balancer. Your on the drivers side front cyl ?
 
Where is the timing mark ? Take your timing light and go around the balancer. Your on the drivers side front cyl ?

I can not find the mark. I've looked around the balancer and even had a mirror trying to find it- but could not see it!
 
Clamp your timing light on other wires it has to show up some where, try #6 that's 180 out. I would try all the wires till you find it then you can figure out what's up.
 
Mark your balancer from tdc line out to 60 degrees or buy a timing tape. I am suspicious of cross firing or plug wires swapped. I seen you mentioned Mopar coil? is it a stock type? I would try an e core coil or a high performance coil. Is the mechanical advance causing it to over advance when you are revving it up? Here is a link to the \6 site with in depth hei installation, it may be worth checking out if you've not seen it before. HEI Electronic Ignition Retrofit How-To - Slant Six Forum
 
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Forget the coil for now

You know how to use a piston stop? Verify that the timing marks are correct

Either the timing mark is wrong because the balancer has slipped, or you have a mismatched timing cover/ balancer, or you have the pickup coil leads reversed Google "rotor phasing"

You ARE connecting to the front plug on the driver's side, right?

(Fords are on pass side LOL)
 
Another thing is one plug terminal off, i've done it before you will not get enough timing.
 
Pull distributer and turn the rotor 180° drop it back in and fire it up.
Also, check that reluctor is in proper position for small block, the big block distributor uses the same reluctor, but it is in reverse rotation. If it is installed in reverse rotation, it will cause similar condition.
 
Just watched the video,yeah something is up with the ignition do you have a stock one laying around to test?
 
When I re-curved my distributor, I had wiped my index mark off my reluctor during cleanup and installed it upside down by accident. I had the same exact symptoms, pulled distributor and turned reluctor over, problem solved. But, a thorough recheck is in order, it's usually the minor details that lead to the most trouble. One terminal, two wires crossed. This is basic knowledge and you probably don't need it, but it may help others out.
 
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Would an intake vacuum leak do this or am I wrong?
 
It would have to be a pretty severe one, but the back crack through the carburetor is indicative of a timing issue. Do you have second timing light to verify with?
 
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I’d try reversing the wires coming from the dist to the module.

I’d also put a hole in the dist cap to verify the rotor phasing.
 
I have set the #1 piston to TDC on the compression stroke.

Save my sanity and tell me what I'm doing wrong!

Do yourself a favor, set the #1 piston to TDC on the compression stroke again.

Lift up the distributor cap once you have it and make sure the rotor is pointing at the front intake bolt, drivers side.

If that isn't right, correct it. If it is correct, double and triple check your plug wires.

Go from there.
 
Do yourself a favor, set the #1 piston to TDC on the compression stroke again.

Lift up the distributor cap once you have it and make sure the rotor is pointing at the front intake bolt, drivers side.

If that isn't right, correct it. If it is correct, double and triple check your plug wires.

Go from there.

I agree, and have done that procedure at least 5 times and I'm getting the same results.

I feel like I'm checking all the right boxes and still getting a wrong result.
 
I’d try reversing the wires coming from the dist to the module.

I’d also put a hole in the dist cap to verify the rotor phasing.

I've tried reversing the wire from the dist to the module and it makes things worse. Meaning it won't run at all and spits and back fires.
 
I feel like I'm checking all the right boxes and still getting a wrong result.

Been there.

I once crossed 5 and 7 and I kept missing it, lol.

I dunno how, my buddy came down and looked at it and fixed it. :BangHead:

I just wasn't seeing it for some reason.
 
When I re-curved my distributor, I had wiped my index mark off my reluctor during cleanup and installed it upside down by accident. I had the same exact symptoms, pulled distributor and turned reluctor over, problem solved. But, a thorough recheck is in order, it's usually the minor details that lead to the most trouble. One terminal, two wires crossed. This is basic knowledge and you probably don't need it, but it may help others out.


It is a brand new distributor; not that means it's right but I feel it's something else. I've been thru the wires countless times to be sure of the order and they are correct.

It just does not make sense to me at all. I wish I had a second set of eye to look over the car in person to see what I'm missing! I'm at that point! I hate to throw in the towel but it's kicking my butt!
 
did you verify TDC with a piston stop?
what distributor are you using?
What method did you use for setting it at 10°?
 
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