Hi,

My buddy and I just swapped the old 305 in my 84 Trans Am with a brand new 350 and we're having some trouble getting it to fire up. It cranks just fine, but keeps backfiring out the carb. One of the many possible ideas as to a problem is that we might have the plug wires in the wrong spot on the distributor cap. The cap itself doesn't say ANYWHERE which slot is for plug #1. I've included a pic of the cap with labels...any idea as to which one is #1? Also, what other things might cause this? Correct me if I'm wrong...you line the mark on the damper pulley up with 0 on the timing pointer to start it the first time, right? We used the original damper pulley (along with the timing cover, which had the timing pointer welded to it). I'm fairly new to this so any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Joe

 

A=1
B=8
C=4
D=3
E=6
F=5
G=7
H=2

Make sure when you bring the timing mark up on top dead center your on the compression stroke. Best way to make sure is to take the plug out and stick your finger over the hole while you turn it over by hand, when you feel air coming out is when your on the compression stroke. Put it on TDC and stick your distributor with the rotor pointing at A.

a lil extra help can be foudn in the link below.
http://www.boxwrench.net/specs/chevy_sb.htm

 

Just wanted to thank you...that was the problem. The engine fired up right away after it was corrected. Thanks!

Joe

 

No problemo.

 

Not like you're the first (right, Kurt?).