Engine cranks but doesn’t start. I believe it’s my timing in my distributor.

[Cj1234]

My 1978 Chevy c1. Is having trouble starting. It cranks but no start. We have power, fuel and spark no problem but still nothing. The distributor cap is also not cracked. We started this problem by taking the spark plug wires off and putting them back on with the wrong firing order, then we cranked it and no start. Keep in mind it would start no problem before this. We believe it’s a problem with timing. What can I do with the distributor to fix this problem? Or anything I should check?

 

[Chevy 88]

Prolly flooded. Crank for 10 seconds with throttle wide open. Wait 30 seconds and try that again. Then report back.

 

[75gmck25]

If you did not loosen the hold down bolt and rotate the distributor, the timing should not have changed. This assumes you got the wires back on the right terminals.

As already mentioned, it may just be flooded with gas and need to turn over with the throttle and choke wide open (accelerator pedal to the floor) to clear out the excess fuel.

Firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Do you know for sure which terminal was the #1 before you removed the wires? Make sure you have the #1 wire running from the correct #1 terminal to the #1 plug (front drivers side). Then going clockwise from #1 terminal, check the other wires routing to the plugs. Drivers side plugs are 1-3-5-7 (front to back) and passenger side is 2-4-6-8 (front to back).

 

[Sad Sack]

Are the HEI wires "loose"?

 

[fast 99]

if you suspect plug wires are not correct bring #1 cylinder up on compression. Then look where rotor is pointed. Start the firing order from that terminal on the cap.

 

[David King]

While down in the distributor, might want to put in a new control module.

 

[hack_man]

I hear those control modules are hard to come by, at least reliable ones

 

[Broken85]

Spin the motor and Look for the timing mark on the balancer to be sure you are TDC and not on the exhaust stroke. Line up the mark on the balancer with the timing indicator on the timing chain cover. That will be true TDC. As stated, whereever the rotor is pointed at on the distributor is #1 cylinder compression stroke. Double check your plug wire order once you know where #1 is.