Please help! Bad timing

[Huicho417]

Well, I finally got the engine back in the car after refreshing with all new gaskets and painting it. I also installed a double roller timing chain. I was anxious to get it started to hear the new hooker headers. This entire day was spent on getting it running, no luck. In the beginning I had no spark and the pump was not pushing any fuel. After checking all wiring and adjusting the points I saw sparks at points and wires. The fuel pump was installed incorrectly and after adjusting it, pumped fuel to the filter and carb. I drained a battery trying to get it running now that I had fuel and spark. I made sure to be at top dead center while having the rotor pointing to the #1 cylinder. After rotating the distributor a bit, the best I got was loud explosion noises coming from the carburetor. Leads me to think that the timing is off but cannot figure out a systematic way to get it correct again. The car ran fine before removing the engine. Any suggestions are highly appreciated.

 

[65-440]

Top dead center but on the right stroke? Sure you're not 180 out?

 

[Huicho417]

Did not think about that. Would I just turn the engine a full rotation and re insert the distributor? Thanks

 

[Red63440]

Yes, just bring it to TDC again only 180 degrees out, lift the distributor and turn the rotor 180 so its pointing back at number one and try it again....

 

[Huicho417]

When you say 180 degrees. Is that a full rotation to where the lines on balancer and tab line up or literally 180?

 

[Red63440]

Bump it around until it points away from number one 180 degrees.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

Or have some one bump the starter with number one plug out and your finger over the park plug hole. When the compression blows your finger off the hole thats TDC on the compression stroke.

 

[turbine68rt]

Assuming your timing mark on the harmonic balancer is correct, bump the starter with coil disconnected and #1 plug removed. Feel for compression at plug hole. With timing mark at tdc on compression stroke see if your rotor is pointing to #1 or 180° out.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Or you could just pull the distributor, turn the rotor 180 and put it back in.

 

[65-440]

Or you could just pull the distributor, turn the rotor 180 and put it back in.

This

 

[BeepBeepRR]

Or you could just clock your wires 180 degrees. Did this on a chevy once..lol

 

[Don Frelier]

I hope the timing chain is installed correctly.
I would agree to test to the compression stroke with a plug removed.
You may also have fouled plugs.
Be careful our you can potentially blow up your mufflers. Ask me how I know...

 

[493 Mike]

The oil pump drive shaft was not removed? Or if so synced properly?
Mike

 

[Huicho417]

Thanks to each and everyone one of you that provided feedback, you have helped me immensely. I pulled the plugs, rotated the engine 180 degrees, reinserted the distributor and BAM!!! The engine fired up after just pumping the carburetor twice. Sounds loud because of the open headers but it is music to my ears. Last night I could not sleep just thinking about the many things I could have done wrong, starting with the timing chain. Any suggestions on an exhaust system? I was thinking of going with a flow master super 40 series dual exhaust mufflers.
Thanks again y’all!

 

[Don Frelier]

Glad you got it going.
Sorry if my reply was upsetting, that certainly wasn't my intention.
Make sure to set the timing correctly.
Then after you get your exhaust set up in it's final form check and adjust the idle mixture as well.
Looks nice. Keep checking for leaks and watch your gauges.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Thanks to each and everyone one of you that provided feedback, you have helped me immensely. I pulled the plugs, rotated the engine 180 degrees, reinserted the distributor and BAM!!! The engine fired up after just pumping the carburetor twice. Sounds loud because of the open headers but it is music to my ears. Last night I could not sleep just thinking about the many things I could have done wrong, starting with the timing chain. Any suggestions on an exhaust system? I was thinking of going with a flow master super 40 series dual exhaust mufflers.
Thanks again y’all!

They will be noisy.

 

[65-440]

Nice! Congrats

 

[Huicho417]

Thanks again everyone. No need to apologize for the input, specially when it helped resolve the issue. I will make sure to work on setting the timing now.

 

[moparedtn]

I hope the timing chain is installed correctly.

This. I can't tell from the pic provided, but you DID make sure the dots on the timing gears were
exactly lined up with one another, eh?

 

[Crackedback]

dots look unaligned. keyway on crank not far enough to right