I jsut got my new 400 sbc installed in my 86 camaro. I hooked everything up, got #1 piston to top dead center on compression stroke and dropped in the dizzy. Tried to start it and it is backfiring thru the exhaust!! what would casue this. by the way it is a carbed engine no computer, no emmisions

 

that's asked pretty commonly, usually it's 'cuz your distributor was off a tooth, or wires not in right order, or something like that.

 

Was the rotor pointing directly at the #1 terminal on the cap?

How did you find TDC compression stroke?

If you are really at tdc and you have the rotor properly aligned, then you need to check all of your plug wires. Make sure none of them are crosswired, happens a lot, to all of us at times.

 

You're 180 degrees out. Take out the dizzy and turn it around.

-- Joe

 

to get it at tdc I turned the engine by the crank until the timing mark was on top dead center with out the exhaust valve on #1 cylinder moving. the rotor was pointing directly at number one. I have been over the firing order 3 times and the wires are in the right order. I am puzzled

 

So try putting it 180 out to see. I've made the mistake myself and I swore I didnt see the valve move. Now what I do, is ignore the valves, rotate the engine with a hose in #1, and when it goes "pssssssssssst" it's at #1. Drop the dizzy in and set timing. Infact I did this last night, with my brandy new engine. which runs the nuts i'm happy to add.


-- Joe

 

That was what I was getting at. If you have two people you can also have one stick thier finger over the spark plug hole, and feel for the air.

 

thanks for everyones help, I feel so stupid lol, after boasting about knowing I have it right, I looked it over and I was a notch out. I fixed that and it started right up!!!!! yea

now if I can only get the gear on my mini starter to kick back after starting the engine I will be set

 

thanks again guys