Re: Won't start after distributor swap
[Re: rory73]
#2358759
08/23/17 09:06 PM
08/23/17 09:06 PM
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Posts: 96,664 On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
amxautox
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Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
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is it firing at all? and when does it fire, does fire a lot, or a little? Does it back fire when it does fire?
Tom
"Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."
-Henry David Thoreau
Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths
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Re: Won't start after distributor swap
[Re: amxautox]
#2358765
08/23/17 09:13 PM
08/23/17 09:13 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,664 On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
amxautox
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Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
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If you noted where the rotor was pointing, then removed the old dist., then rotated the engine to align the timing marks, then inserted the replacement dist. making sure the rotor is pointing where the rotor was on the old dist., then you have the rotor pointing at the wrong spot as obviously the timing marks weren't aligned or you wouldn't have had to turn the crank over to align them. I say start over by aligning the timing marks, then make sure the rotor is pointing at number 2 cylinder front inside manifold bolt with the number 1 tower on the cap also aligned with the rotor - that is where the number 1 plug cable is inserted in the dist. cap. Look in the book for the picture on how/where to align things.
Tom
"Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."
-Henry David Thoreau
Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths
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Re: Won't start after distributor swap
[Re: rory73]
#2358767
08/23/17 09:15 PM
08/23/17 09:15 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,664 On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
amxautox
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Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
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Doesn't fire at all, nada. I've had the distributor for two years but never got round to it until now. Other than that it's a new in box FireCore distributor (not the RTR version obviously). Even checked the gap and set it to 0.007" Check the pickup coil inside for the proper ohms to see if it's even any good. And make sure you connected the wires properly and didn't mistakenly swap them before crimping.
Tom
"Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."
-Henry David Thoreau
Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths
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Re: Won't start after distributor swap
[Re: amxautox]
#2358769
08/23/17 09:17 PM
08/23/17 09:17 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,664 On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
amxautox
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Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
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Or borrow a known good dist. to test.
Tom
"Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."
-Henry David Thoreau
Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths
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Re: Won't start after distributor swap
[Re: rory73]
#2358771
08/23/17 09:19 PM
08/23/17 09:19 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 79 Europe
rory73
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I always wind up finding tdc again to get it to fire after a swap like that Spark plug #1 isn't exactly fun to get at unfortunately. You can just about squeeze your fingers under the exhaust manifold. Poking something in there while cranking the engine with a breaker bar at the same time will be a real challenge. Shouldn't the engine be at TDC for cylinder #1 when the balancer markings line up? I know that balancers can move over time but I've always used these markings to set timing, surely they can't be way out?
Last edited by rory73; 08/23/17 09:22 PM.
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Re: Won't start after distributor swap
[Re: amxautox]
#2358774
08/23/17 09:27 PM
08/23/17 09:27 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
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rory73
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If you noted where the rotor was pointing, then removed the old dist., then rotated the engine to align the timing marks, then inserted the replacement dist. making sure the rotor is pointing where the rotor was on the old dist., then you have the rotor pointing at the wrong spot as obviously the timing marks weren't aligned or you wouldn't have had to turn the crank over to align them. No, I aligned the timing marks with the old distributor in place and noted the rotor position before taking the old distributor out. Didn't move the engine after that. Maybe I shouldn't have done it that way.
Last edited by rory73; 08/23/17 09:27 PM.
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Re: Won't start after distributor swap
[Re: rory73]
#2358777
08/23/17 09:32 PM
08/23/17 09:32 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,664 On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
amxautox
Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
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Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
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On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
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If you noted where the rotor was pointing, then removed the old dist., then rotated the engine to align the timing marks, then inserted the replacement dist. making sure the rotor is pointing where the rotor was on the old dist., then you have the rotor pointing at the wrong spot as obviously the timing marks weren't aligned or you wouldn't have had to turn the crank over to align them. No, I aligned the timing marks with the old distributor in place and noted the rotor position before taking the old distributor out. Didn't move the engine after that. Maybe I shouldn't have done it that way. Ok, I got it now. That is the way to do it. So it's either the coil inside the replacement dist., or a wire broke while you were doing the install. With brittle wires I can understand one breaking.
Tom
"Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."
-Henry David Thoreau
Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths
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Re: Won't start after distributor swap
[Re: rory73]
#2358802
08/23/17 10:34 PM
08/23/17 10:34 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 79 Europe
rory73
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It did run so yeah, that's an option. It's probably the original one though, 40+ yrs old. The plastic on the rotor was worn to a conical shape, presumably the shaft wobbles quite a bit. Plenty of crud and copper rust too.
Right now I'd put my money on the wiring. I guess I could do a continuity test but unfortunately the ignition box is in a rather difficult place to get at (behind the grill and in front of the radiator).
Last edited by rory73; 08/23/17 10:38 PM.
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Re: Won't start after distributor swap
[Re: BDW]
#2358808
08/23/17 10:37 PM
08/23/17 10:37 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
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Lincoln Nebraska
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I would set the dampener slit on 15 BTDC #1 compression & turn the dist housing till the magnet is dead even with the tooth which places the rotor is under or near under the #1 plug wire cap terminal & snug it down & see if it will fire. post how it goes. EDIT if there is any doubt if you are on #1 or #6 TDC compression, if you can see into one of the valve cover holes to see the #1 or #6 rockers to check them for movement while someone moves the dampener with a 1&1/4" socket/breaker bar. If on #1 TDC compression the #1 cyl pair of rockers will not be moveing when he turns the dampener slit a bit to either side of zero on the timing tab. OE plug wire clocking would be while standing on the pass side of the car: vac can straight up at 12 o'clock (pointing across/toward dr side). #1 plug wire at 5 o'clock. #1 plug wire located in cap just below (closer to you) the front dist cap spring retainer all of which lets the plug wires nestle as neat as possible but as you know lets figure out whats wrong & get it running first.
Last edited by RapidRobert; 08/24/17 02:45 PM.
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: Won't start after distributor swap
[Re: stumpy]
#2359696
08/25/17 03:30 PM
08/25/17 03:30 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
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pull the secondary (large) coil wire out of the dist cap & hold the end of it 1/4" from a metal ground & have a helper crank it with the key & lets see if it is even sparking.
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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