Free beer and pizza to whoever helps me solve my problem:
Just finished my head swap and the car wouldn't start. Decided it was b/c the ditributor was all out of wack. Well, I set the engine at TDC (#1 intake valve just closed, timing mark at zero) and got the rotor pointing at the #1 cyl. So that should be right, right?
-Now the car cranks (after having to recharge the battery) and it will 'pop' every second or so, but won't run.
-I set my gap at 50, stock is 35, should I regap down to 45 or 40? (stock ignition system)
-I was also thinking maybe I am too far advanced or retarted. #1 & #8 on the distributor are parallel with the body of the car. How can I go about makeing sure I have a decent timing to start the car.
-I hear the fuel pump prime, and I smell unburnt gas, so I pretty sure the fuel system isn't the problem.
-I checked all the sensors and everything seems fine with them.
-Still not getting any codes.
I am running out of ideas here... I really need your help guys. (Thanks to those who have already helped.

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-='89 Iroc-Z - 350 TPI =-

 

got good spark? Ummmmm make sure you are not 180 out....I was and it did the same thing untill it backfire and shot a 5 foot flame out the TPI intake(thanks for thr bright idea of starter fluid dad)

 

I don't think I'm 180*, maybe a tooth off, but I am pretty sure I had it right when I set it. The car ran, very roughly and died after a second. The headers get hot after a few seconds of cranking....

 

best thing to do is have someone turn the dist while you crank. It made all the diff in the world 4 me. Try advancing a little. Anybackfiring out of the carb/intake?

 

Well, I had someone try to start it while I moved the distributor. Didn't really change anything. I did get some backfireing out the exhaust. I wanted to make sure it didn't come through the intake so I took the MAF off to check it. Just for the hell of it tried to start it, and it barely ran for a moment. Before that I put the timing light on it to check it out, the flash was very unregular, which makes me think I am not firing right. I think I'll regap the plugs and see what happens.

 

When you installed the heads, how did you adjust your rockers? You didn't just crank them as tight as they would go, did you? Just checking...

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91 Z28
Come see The Vicious...

 

No, I set it by the book. Watching the lifters to of one cyl to find TDC of another, tighting the nut until the rod stops turning, then 1/2 turn.
I pulled a couple plugs and they are pretty black, I think I fouled them while trying to start the car with the distributor off. They definatly have a strong gas smell. I am pretty sure my problem is in the spark. I am going to get a new set of plugs and gap them to .040.
THANKS AGAIN! all these ideas are very helpful.

 

How you doing
I was going through the msg board and I saw you stated that the distributor was set at #1 tdc intake valve closed, make sure that both valves are closed on the compression stroke. Intake valve is also closed on the exhaust stroke. If you installed it properly then disreguard this msg and Good luck!

 

is there gas in there?

 

when i swapped out my 305 for a 350, i had a few problems with the distributor and the plugs. first the car would turn and turn but wouldnt fire up. turns out the distributor was 180 degress off. then when that was fixed, it would fire up and make this huge POPing noise every half second or so. so i shut it off and checked the plugs. it turns out that the #5 and 7 plug wires were mixed up. easy fix, and ran great after that.

daniel

 

With the plugs gapped at .050 and the plugs fouled, you may have fixed the orignial problem but the car won't start cause of the condition of the plugs. I'd pull them, clean them with some carb cleaner and reinstall and start again with someone starting the car and you twisting the dist.

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Rob P
89RSconvtZZ4TPI Edelbrock Intake
SLP Dual Cold Air Intake 1 5/8" Headers Semi-Siamesed Runners, IROC
suspension, alum shaft. Numerous mods.
92Z28convt5spd (stock)
71Impala convt 402BB
BETTER DRIVING THRU SUPERIOR HORSEPOWER!

 

I got it started! It turned out to be a whole boat load of little problems. The plugs were fouled and gapped to big, one of them was broken, and the distibuotr was off. I can't get her to idle cleanly below 2500, but I just need to spend the time getting the timming right. Thanks for all the help!