Thread: my engine swap

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any progress barb ?

engine turns over. got gas got spark but not catching. everything looks good but wondering if the fuel pump does not pump enough pressure for the carb?

Try pouring a spot of gas through the carb - should fire if gas starvation is the prob.

did that. no go. will take another look at the distributor tomorrow.

Barb, see if you are getting spark to the plugs. Pull number one spark plug boot off and slip a number 2 phillips screw driver or old spark plug in the boot. Hold it about a quarter inch away from the block (use insulated pliers or hold the plastic handle of the screwdriver) while someone briefly cranks the engine. You should see a spark jump that gap.

You can also go to Harbor Freight and buy one of those $ 5 transparent light deals that you insert between the boot and spark plug in the head. As you crank it you should see the light flashing on and off, if you are getting spark.

Just be careful doing any of these as you are playing with sparks and gasoline in the same area somewhat. I always keep a fire extinquisher handy when starting a new engine, we've all lit up one or two in our lifetime.

Don

My 2 cents Barb, if you have spark and fuel, re-check the firing order. Remember the Cadillacs have 1,3,5 and 7 on the PASSENGER side and 2,4, 6, and 8 on the Drivers side, and it's not the standard 18436572 firing order of most other GMs (the correct firing order is1-5-6-3-4-2-7-8). Also verify that the points are just starting to open when #1 is at TDC on the compression stroke.

And don't do what I have been know to do once in a while (forget to put the rotor back in after adjusting the points )

i will do that. thanks guys

Kick that thing in the right front tire and threaten it with death by crusher if it doesn't start cooperating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Works for me..

:d:lol::lol:

Fuel Compression and Timed Spark = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3yCq73cHNc

Originally Posted by tango

Fuel Compression and Timed Spark = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3yCq73cHNc

where you been bud ?

Barb,
I just want to give you a word of encouragement. I was so fed up with my truck I was ready to get rid of it. I asked myself what the heck am I doing people say they love this I said I hate it. When it started I had to call my friend from the old neighborhood. He was a kid about 4 or 5 years old he would come over to see what he called my (OLD FASHION CARS) to make a long story short he has been paralyzed since he was 19 years old from a drunk driver car accident. That was 21 years ago and he is Hooked Big Time on cars and has a Race Van that is running in the 10’s. When the truck showed 50 pounds at idle when I got the new gauge hooked up after all of those years of sitting I had to call him he was excited like me.

My point is you will get there and I know, you know you will get there also it may just take something real simple to get it going. I always look for the hard things first and over look the simple, that’s just the way I am. Good luck you’ll get it going soon.

Richard

thanks richard that is exactly how i feel. i am out of my league with something that i know is a easy fix and i am frustrated. this entire operation has not gone smoothly. every thing i have tried does not go as planned or as easy as i thought it would. i am finished with the engine for a little while and have moved on to trying to get what i believe to be 40 years old universals out to install the new ones. every once in a while i will go back to the front of the car and try something else to get the engine to start. I am using a metric socket that i have 20 of and a dead blow hammer to try to beat the universal out. some days i feel like i caould take a shotgun and blow right through the grill and put it out of its misery. oh well, i am sure that i will be working hard on it again soon. does anyone else here get these feelings?

I would rather work on my cars than the plumbing in my house!

now i enjoy plumbing. just remodled my bathroom a couple of years ago. at least that went as planned.