I recently replaced the headgaskets on my L98 and now I'm having a problem getting the engine going again. I think its something related to the distributor because the engine cranks in reverse rotation. When I originally pulled the distributor to do the headgaskets I marked both locations of the distributor rotor against the firewall (with a string and pen), and I made sure not to crank the engine. So then I put it all back together, lined the marks up and dropped the distributor in, and got the reverse rotation on start up. I think means I'm 180 degrees off. I don't know how I screwed this up so bad!! I'm guessing I'm going to have to find TDC and reset everything (something I was hoping I wouldnt have to do). So my question here, is there any other possible reasons the engine would crank in reverse rotation? Maybe I screwed up my plug firing order on the distributor cap? (its 2am and I'm sick as a dog so who knows). Would that do it? I'm reaching ... ahahaha

Thanks in advance!!

 

Get some rest. When you awake, you'll realize that the engine cannot crank in reverse rotation. Even is the battery were somehow connected in reverse, the starter could not move the engine in reverse because of the overrunning clutch.

It's really no big deal. Find TDC of #1, stick the distributor in the correct position, and time it once it's started.

 

LOL I feel so retarded. I was watching the serp setup with the remote starter and I swear it was going the wrong way. Ok, time to sleep. Hahahah.

 

 

Whats between the "A" lot and the "C" lot?


I don't get it?

 

Well, it turns out the distributor was in 180 degress off. Also turns out the distributor was broken (internal plastic pieces had cracked off). So a new one is on order, should have it going by tomorrow. I know some people are laughing at me, but it is possible for a SBC to go in reverse rotations, mostly in marine applications. I just don't know how/why it happened here or if it was just a lack of sleep and I was mistaken. Instead of trying again in the morning to see what rotation it was going I pulled the dizzy back out and put it back in correctly and the serp belt is now going the correct way when I blip the starter.

The answer to the joke is the "B" lot but its not funny unless you know Fillipino language. Ay soos!!

 

don't worry man, my buddy is an aviation mechanice and i had him put on my timing tape, do you know what it's like trying to time a motor to 32 degrees AFTER top dead center and tear apart almost everything to realize he put the tape on backwards assuming it spun the other way like a plane engine. argh, it happens to all of us.

 

omfg b lot hahaha.