Remote Starter Switch For Motor Starting/Testing

Good Day Everyone.

This is my first post so please be kind:LOL:

I have a rebuilt 350 SBC that I just dropped into my ride and due to time restraints I am attempting to fire the thing up without any of the dash/steering wheel components installed yet.

I purchased a remote starter button and have hooked it up properly however all the engine does is turn over. It won't start at all.

Now I know that these buttons work when you have the ignition in the on position and will fire the motor up however like I said No dash or steering wheel installed in the car.

Is there a way to by pass whatever is causing the motor to just constantly turn over and not fire up? I am a newbie for the most part and cannot figure this out. I would really like to fire the motor up to ensure its working properly before I continue with my cars overhaul.

Any help would be appreciated. Many thanks.

what type ignition do you have and how did you set initial timing??? also carb or FI?

Hi, I have not set the timing I dropped the distributor in and thats all. The ignition would be the stock ignition that came with the car, HEI Distributor. Its a 77 Pontiac with a 350 Chevy 4bbl carb. Its a stock motor when it comes down to it, nothing fancy. Thank you for your help.

Welcome to CHR! Glad to have you here, and hope you choose to stick around.

You were answering Jerry while I was typing, so I'll back away and let him guide you.

Thanks for the Welcome Roger. I too hope to stick around. At this point I am just playing mechanic. trying to learn things as I go. looks like a great site for information and help. I look forward to building some nice relationships here.

Welcome, once these Members lead you thru the proper timing, I think you'll be good to go and be cranking her from under the hood. Hang in there these guys are knowledgeable and very helpful.
meller

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Originally Posted by MelloYello

Welcome, once these Members lead you thru the proper timing, I think you'll be good to go and be cranking her from under the hood. Hang in there these guys are knowledgeable and very helpful.
meller

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Thanks so much!!

BTT to get Jerry's attention.

Remove #1 plug to get top deadcenter for installing dist---make sure plug wires are on correct order and rotation----12v hot jumper wire to feed HEI----prime carb with fuel----engage starter with remote switch and work carb by hand being careful not to be looking down the throat in case it back fires----if it catches on fire its good idea to be prepared and have fire extinger--to shut off remove hot jumper to hei

Bigzee19, if you have any questions about the process don't hesitate to ask and we can amplify on the items listed.

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Originally Posted by jerry clayton

Remove #1 plug to get top deadcenter for installing dist---make sure plug wires are on correct order and rotation----12v hot jumper wire to feed HEI----prime carb with fuel----engage starter with remote switch and work carb by hand being careful not to be looking down the throat in case it back fires----if it catches on fire its good idea to be prepared and have fire extinger--to shut off remove hot jumper to hei

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Thanks for the info.

Just to be sure (sorry for what may be a silly question) the red wire that would normally go into the distributor I just connect a wire from the battery to that location? Does sending power to it straight from the battery mimic the ignition being in the on position? Like a bypass?

Thank you again and I'll give it a shot tomorrow afternoon. Here's hoping!!

Yes, that gives you 12 volts directly to the distributor bypassing the switch. want to kill it just pull it off.

I will be giving this a go after work today if the weather cooperates. I surely hope that this will get the engine going. Thanks to all who helped and I look forward to posting the next questions that I may have. It is appreciated.

Thanks

CAUTION! Remote starter buttons are dangerous. You can start a car in gear with the remote start button.....and kill yourself or worse. I had an acquaintance who killed his wife when he pushed the remote start button in his mustang. His wife was pinned between the front bumper and the garage door when the car started in gear. Recently, at a local show, a really nice 32 coupe had a remote start button on the firewall. The car was in gear and some idiot pushed the button....car didnt start but it moved forward....could have been bad. Be very careful.

I can fully understand about starting the car in gear. I have checked that the car is in park and am extremely careful in this aspect. I appreciate the concern.

So I did what Jerry had suggested and all seems ok. Well until I fired up. I immediately started to get flames out the cylinder heads. This I know is no good. I setup the distributor as suggested.

Could this be caused by bad timing or something else that I am missing?

I look forward to the great continued support from this board.

You didn't start it without exhaust manifolds/headers in place, did you? That's not something you really want to do, as the engine likes a bit of back pressure on the exhaust ports. It sounds like it's running retarded, putting raw, unburned fuel out the exhaust.
When you dropped the distributor in did you bring #1 up on compression (finger in #1 plug hole, feel escaping compression), align your timing mark "0" with the pointer, and then install the distributor with the rotor pointing to #1 position on the cap? If yes, did you then advance the distributor about ten to twelve degrees (distributor housing moved ~10 degrees counter clockwise).

Hey Roger, I only have exhaust manifolds on. No exhaust pipes installed yet.

Yes I dropped the distributor in after bringing the compression up properly. I also did move the distributor 10 degrees.

I just don't want to start a fire so I have stopped until we can figure this out.

Put a timing light on it? That'll tell the tale.

Thank you everyone for the help. I managed to get it running today and all is good. The distributor was not installed in the right position. I also just purchased a timing light to get the timing down and will be doing that tonight.

Thanks for all the help!!

dob a "little thin strip" of white paint on your timing mark will also make it a lot easier to know where you were and where you are

Did you spring for the digital "dial back" timing light? Those things are the best thing since sliced bread, allowing you to set your desired amount of advance into the light, then when you shoot the mark you align to zero. If you're not aligned a push of the up/down buttons bring it to zero, and the digital display will show you how many degrees you're off from the desired timing. Super slick!!