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| | | | Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 591 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 591 | I'm trying to start the 283 in my 1957 pickup. I bought the engine a while ago, it is slightly "warmed-over." I changed the stock distributor to a HEI. The timing cover is not stock and doesn't have a timing mark (the harmonic balancer does). Every time I try to start it I get backfire and flames through the carb. It does seem to run for a few revolutions. I thought I timed the distributor properly when I put it in. Now I'm wondering if I am 180 degrees out. Any opinions?
Thanks,
Don | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,746 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,746 | Be sure you're following the right firing order, 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 clockwise as you look at the top of the distributor. To find the compression stroke on #1 cylinder, pull the #1 spark plug, hold your thumb over the hole, and have someone "bump" the starter over a bit at a time. When you get a puff of compression, check to see that the distributor rotor is pointing toward the #1 plug wire in the distributor cap. To find top dead center when the piston tops out in the cylinder, use a piece of soft copper wire in the spark plug hole, and gently roll the engine forward until you can feel the piston top out and start back down. Doin't stick something stiff like a screwdriver down the plug hole! Once you have TDC located, you can make some sort of a mark on the timing cover, or make a timing pointer out of stiff wire and bolt it on.
Jerry
Last edited by Hotrod Lincoln; 10/24/2010 5:30 PM.
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| | | | | Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 591 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 591 | Jerry:
Thanks for the advice. Worked like a charm, engine started right up. Sounds strong, finally after 3 years I get to hear it run.
Don
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 42 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 42 | I ran into a similar problem getting the 283 in my truck going after it sat on jack stands for a long time. I forgot to make a mark when I pulled the distributor to pre-oil the engine. No problem, I thought, I'll just get it in the ballpark and time it with a timing light. Only someone thoroughly painted over the mark on the balancer!
Good excuse to buy a vacuum gauge though. | | |
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