Having trouble with the 455

[Schober Motorsports]

**Update**

Ok this is really getting frustrating! Took off the timing cover today to make sure it was right on the money, and it was. So mark that out. I replaced the distributor and the coil without any luck. I'm starting to think that its infact something in the wiring... What do you guys think?

 

[anakputa]

Do you have 12 volts in the run and start to the HEI? Do you have a Tach? If you have 12 Volts to the distributor at "all" times and the "Tach Lead" is disconnected then look at the plugs. I went through the same thing and it was fouled out plugs that were brand new. If all that is good maybe you have some crappy gas..

 

[78 salon]

**Update**

Ok this is really getting frustrating! Took off the timing cover today to make sure it was right on the money, and it was. So mark that out. I replaced the distributor and the coil without any luck. I'm starting to think that its infact something in the wiring... What do you guys think?

Craig, I agree with others saying it's in the wiring somewhere, since in your o.p., you say the car fired up and ran great. What's getting me is the position of tdc vs timing indicator. By the way, I got all of that fugly orange paint off of the transmission, it's now a nice shade of flat, hi-temp black. Did you ever change the filter on that transmission?

 

[Schober Motorsports]

I'll start looking at the wiring tomorrow... Hopefully I'll get it sorted out! I do have a tach and I'm not sure if I'm running 12 volts, another thing to check for tomorrow!

78 salon: Nice to hear that you got it painted! As for that trans, I know absolutely nothing about it. It was the Th350 that the owner of my 65 Cutlass put in so I have no clue. Sorry!

Also I got a new harmonic balancer and we are right on track again, I looked at the old one more closely, it spun a WHOLE 180 degrees! Amazing...

 

[Schober Motorsports]

**Update**

Alright well I double checked all my wiring, and it was all fine. Here's a list on what I've checked/done.

-Changed Distributor
-Put new gas in it
-Double checked if fuel pump was working
-Cleaned out carb
-Double checked timing chain marks, It marked up just like when I put it on
-Changed Ignition Wires
-Changed Coil
-Checked if I had 12 volts going to the distributor, I do.
-Changed the fuel filter
-Checked to make sure the distribitor matched #1 cylinder about 1000 times!
-New harmonic balancer

It wants to fire up so damn badly, what its doing now is firing then dieing right away so I need to keep holding the starter. Its like BAM die BAM die BAM die BAM over and over again it just cannot start and I don't understand why! I've virtually changed everything!

 

[High Roller]

sounds like fuel issue! wonder if your fuel line has a pin hole in it? I had same issue with my old 72 cutlass.
hook up a line from gas can to fuel pump and start it. or pour gas down carb and see if it'll run for a bit

 

[anakputa]

Spark plugs, and firing order and rotation? Also check the ignition switch too.

 

[Schober Motorsports]

I did already clean out the carb and the jets, I also attempted to start it with starting fluid without any luck. I know I'm getting gas to the carb since after I cleaned out the carb and started cranking it, it was filled up with gas again within 10 seconds!

Spark Plugs > Checked
Firing Order > Checked 5 times
Rotation > Haven't checked but I know the distributor gear isn't spun or anything like that

The ignition switch! Didn't even think of that! I did check it when I was doing the test to see if I was getting 12 volts to the coil, and I was, but when I would crank over the engine it would go down to 9 or 10, most likely because of the starter taking so much energy, So maybe it isn't the switch...

 

[dan2286]

Make sure you installed the plug wires on the cap in the right direction. I forget which way, but it's the opposite of Chevy. I believe clockwise.

 

[anakputa]