Rebuilt 350 starting for the first time under an 87 TPI. Got the correct memcal, knock sensor, and 24lb svo injectors.

Turn the key to start. The engine cranked slowly. Not dead battery slow, but slow enough that it wasn't as fast as I thought it should be.

Didn't even get a cough.

Tried it a few more times and it seemed like each time it got a little bit faster. But still not fast enough.

I think I know how to check fuel delivery, how exactly do I tell if there is spark?

 

With a spark checker. Or you can just look for a white spark and hope its good enough. I'd check the timing, make sure it's not too advanced.

 

make sure the distrib isn't turned 180 degrees

 

sound like the timing is off. have some advance it some while you turn the motor over. it sounds like the timing is retarded.

 

Hookup a timing light to a plug wire while cranking to check for spark, prob the easiest way. My new motor was a tad to advanced when I first tried to start it, didn't even try to catch but I did smell exhaust. I ended up getting it at 4deg ATDC when it started.

 

If there is no fuel in the fuel line, it can take quite a bit of cranking before it will fire. Could that be it?

 

your running a tpi so the fuel pump should prime the lines when you turn the key to the run position, when you turn it to the run position do you hear the pump come on?

 

The problem was I tried to use the distributor out og my '85 IROC (non roller)... to use on my '87 here that has a non roller block 350.... and the problem was the distributor. For whatever reason it didn't spark. Put the '87 one back in and it fired right up, well kinda I think it was a bit flooded lol. But foundout the gear should be fine. SO 350 is runner great! WOO!

 

so when you say you have the right memcal, you mean you had a new chip made for the ecm right? otherwise your 24lb injectors are running your engine real rich, partly because stock (on a 305) were 19lb, and partly because ford flows at 43psi and chevy flows at 37psi (something similar to those numbers) so your actually increasing injector flow rate to like 27 or 28lbs...

 

Not exactly, you need to have the right memcal for the correct cylinder engine, limp home and on the 730, ESC. Others will say you need to have the right memcal for the correct body car, but I am using a vette memcal with no problems. And FYI, ford injectors run on 39.5 and gm is 43.5 up until LS1 which is 58psi.

 

I know the ford injectors I have are 24lbs at 39.X psi... and actually my BLMs right average about 115. I like to run a little bit rich. I've got my fuel pressure at something like 48psi.

I bought a memcal for a stock 350 TPI AUTO for '87. By correct I mean Memcal for a 350, for my year, auto.