Re: Mooing, Burping, just not startin, Rambler - UPDATE

[Matt Haas <mhaas@xxxxxxx>]

Brian,

The distributor is likely still off a little bit (chances are, it's trying 
to fire either #4 or #5 instead of #1). With the hold down clamp loose and 
the ignition on, turn the distributor while cranking the engine. Try both 
ways but go slowly since you can go right past where it needs to be. As you 
get closer to having it lined up, it should back fire out of the carburetor 
less. You may run into the problem where you can't turn the distributor 
enough to get it to work. If that's the case, you'll need to remove the 
distributor and turn the rotor some. Also, if you find that it's just about 
at the end of where it can move after you get it running, you can move the 
wires around on the cap if you don't want to mess with moving the rotor.

Also, don't crank the engine for more than about 45 seconds at a time. 
Cranking for extended periods of time is hard on the starter. If you find 
that you need to crank it that much, let the starter rest for a few minutes 
after each 45 seconds of cranking.

Also, you can take refuge in the fact that everyone has problems getting 
distributors in right from time to time. When I replaced the distributor on 
my American recently, it took me well over an hour of fiddling to get the 
car running and the distributor where I wanted it. On the other hand, when 
I rebuilt the engine, I put the distributor in 180 degrees off and when I 
flipped the rotor around to the proper spot, I managed to put it in exactly 
at TDC. I consider that to be one of the luckiest car things I've ever had 
happen.

Just keep at it and you'll get it (and feel like you're king of the world 
when you do).

Matt

At 01:24 PM 11/27/2004 -0500, you wrote:
> An update:
>
> Ok, set the key to START, pulled the wire from the coil to the 
> distributor, put a plug on it, and using the manual remote starter, i got 
> spark.  Ok, reset the coil wire, pulled the number one wire, put plug on 
> it, held it to block, i get spark.
>
> For giggles and since im getting good at it, I put my finger over Cyl1 
> hole, cranked till it got burped off, manually moved the block to TDC, 
> reset timing on distributor (it was pretty much on already). Put 
> everything back in place, get in car, crank, wrr wrr wrr POOF, wrr wrr wrr 
> POOF. Im backfiring out the carb (smoke).  Hmm.
>
> So I did a compression test on all cylinders, the first number is the 
> inital jump to point, the second number is where it jumps to when it 
> continues to crank.
>
> Cylinder 1: 80/100
> Cylinder 2: 80/100
> Cylinder 3: 85/100
> Cylinder 4: 100/120
> Cylinder 5: 100/120
> Cylinder 6 100/110
>
> Those numbers dont look so bad to me, no?
>
> I did a continuity check. Hooked up idiot light to the POS battery, turned 
> key to START, get light ON at Pos Coil. Get light ON at distributor body.
>
> So.. everything seems to be in the right place, right timing, right 
> connection... but I still wont start (and get backfire out of carb when i 
> try to start by Key.)
>
> Anything else I should try?
>
> Thanks!
>
> > What is new:
> > Plugs, Plug Wires, Coil (Flamethrower coil I had, new), Distributor (with
> > Pertronix Elec Ignition conversion), Battery, Battery Cables, Starter. The
> > car is a 65 Rambler with a 232 6cyl Auto
> >
> > So.. the entire ignition is pretty much new except for the main wiring
> > harness.
> >
> > The car DID run, although badly, before i did everything. Last week I did
> > most of that stuff, and when I tried to start the car, it would turn over
> > but not run for long and the carb would spew/cough out fuel. The general
> > consensus was "your 180 degrees off". Ok. Cool. Lets work with that.

mhaas@xxxxxxx
Cincinnati, OH
http://www.mattsoldcars.com
1966 Rambler Rebel
1968 Rambler American sedan
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