So heres the combo. 400 smallblock, stock rocker arms, aprox .510 lift cam, 750 dp holley with new proform baseplate accel hei ignition.

Car is getting fuel, spark, wired correctly at distributor and I set the valve lash using the EOIC method and she's hard turning over. Battery fully charged and starter is shimmed and it had a big block starter.

I got this thing started last year and never had a problem, thats with a bad baseplate that was since replaced.

I cranked the car with no plugs in incase or hydrolock. Nothing came out. I replaced the timing cover and the chain never skipped.


The only thing i can think of is that the new baseplate has the throttle plates fully closed and I am not starting it pressing on the gas pedal to open the blades to pull air. I dunno I need help guys.

Embarssed to say i am a apprentice mechanic too, not practicing thought lol.

 

I adjusted the primary throttle blades opening and it still won't start it cranks but only a sec and i hear a loud noise of the starter binding. that's what it sounds like. I did add a shim to the starter but that shouldn't cause it to bind. I have turned over the motor no problem without plugs in it but now she won't turn over a full revolution.

 

never used a shim on a starter

whats the diff in small and big block starters

do a compression test

how do you know you have spark and fuel

take off the valve covers and watch the rockers

by this time if you have fuel going to the pistons you have to take out all the spark plugs and squirt A LITTLE oil in the hole and turn it over

gas will wipe the cylinders clean and you will not have any compression

the oil thing has to be done and while all the plugs are out do a compression test

 

The difference between the small block starter and the big is size and cranking power. Turning over a 400sbc with a 305 or 350 starter will kill that starter in no time.

I am aware on how to do a compression test but I haven't got a compression gauge, . I now suspect it could be my starter shimmed to far out and possibly my valves are not lashed enough.