SBC 350 with new cam will not start, only pops a couple times then nothing.

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

buddy350

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2017
Posts
95
Reaction score
72
Location
El Paso,TX
First Name
Buddy
Truck Year
1973 k20
Truck Model
Suburban
Engine Size
350
Driving myself Nutts over here in Plano,Texas.

1977 3/4 pick up with a sbc 350 HEI distributor.

Motor was running before the cam swap.

Added a RV cam, New lifters and push rods,Edlebrock performer intake, Quadrajet spread bore to square bore adapter, all back together and will not start.
Valves have been adjusted and rechecked multiple times. They are all set with just a minute amount of play when in the relaxed "no load" position.

The only thing the motor will do is pop off occasionally then nothing.

Crank gear was set to 12 Oclock and Cam gear set to 6 O clock.

Then Motor was turned over to put Cam gear at 12 O clock and Crank gear at 6 O clock to get TDC on #1.

Distributor was installed pointing in the general vicinity of the Number one cylinder.

I have been using 2,1,8,4,3,6,5,7 firing order in the clockwise direction.

Have The Plug wires all connected to the correct cylinders, The Carb is spraying fuel.
Pulled the plugs and they are getting spark.

Tried re stabbing the distributor 180 degrees several times going back and forth and also pulled the driver valve cover and rechecked TDC compression stroke then restabbed the Dist and all that has ever happened is an occasional pop.
I have also tried both ways with the dist and advancing and retarding the dist.

I am so frustrated.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
I could sure use it.

BTW I am on my second starter.

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
 
Last edited:

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,789
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
Driving myself Nutts over here in Plano,Texas.

1977 3/4 pick up with a sbc 350 HEI distributor.

Motor was running before the cam swap.

Added a RV cam, New lifters and push rods,Edlebrock performer intake, Quadrajet spread bore to square bore adapter, all back together and will not start.
Valves have been adjusted and rechecked multiple times. They are all set with just a minute amount of play when in the relaxed "no load" position.

The only thing the motor will do is pop off occasionally then nothing.

Crank gear was set to 12 Oclock and Cam gear set to 6 O clock.

Then Motor was turned over to put Cam gear at 12 O clock and Crank gear at 6 O clock to get TDC on #1.

Distributor was installed pointing in the general vicinity of the Number one cylinder.

I have been using 2,1,8,4,3,6,5,7 firing order in the clockwise direction.

Have The Plug wires all connected to the correct cylinders, The Carb is spraying fuel.
Pulled the plugs and they are getting spark.

Tried re stabbing the distributor 180 degrees several times going back and forth and also pulled the driver valve cover and rechecked TDC compression stroke then restabbed the Dist and all that has ever happened is an occasional pop.
I have also tried both ways with the dist and advancing and retarding the dist.

I am so frustrated.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
I could sure use it.

BTW I am on my second started

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
You hav your firing order wrong
You must be registered for see images attach


Fixed it lol
 
Last edited:

gpmorgan

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2013
Posts
562
Reaction score
105
Location
Tupelo Ms.
First Name
greg
Truck Year
1992
Truck Model
1500
Engine Size
632
Your timing chain gears should be dot to dot also.
 

buddy350

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2017
Posts
95
Reaction score
72
Location
El Paso,TX
First Name
Buddy
Truck Year
1973 k20
Truck Model
Suburban
Engine Size
350
Ok

Thank you
I did something wrong according to that HEI diagram, I have been starting Number my firing order 1 where the diagram is calling 3.
WOW

If I was not sitting in my pajamas about to go to bed I would run out to the shop and rewire.
 

buddy350

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2017
Posts
95
Reaction score
72
Location
El Paso,TX
First Name
Buddy
Truck Year
1973 k20
Truck Model
Suburban
Engine Size
350
This is how I have my current plug wires.

I wonder why this diagram conflicts with the diagram posted by Honky Kong JR.

You must be registered for see images attach
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,789
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
This is how I have my current plug wires.

I wonder why this diagram conflicts with the diagram posted by Honky Kong JR.

You must be registered for see images attach
The one I posted looks retarded the info is correct just the HEI part is inverted.
 

buddy350

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2017
Posts
95
Reaction score
72
Location
El Paso,TX
First Name
Buddy
Truck Year
1973 k20
Truck Model
Suburban
Engine Size
350
Look at where #2 is on this diagram then look at where it is on Honky Kong Jr's diagram.
On Honky Kong Jr's diagram the connector is labeled with #3 and #4 on either side of, then the diagram I have posted shows to have #7 and #2 on either side of the connector.

Not sure whats going on.

I am such a novice.
 

gpmorgan

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2013
Posts
562
Reaction score
105
Location
Tupelo Ms.
First Name
greg
Truck Year
1992
Truck Model
1500
Engine Size
632
You need to get number one cyl up on the compression stroke and see which terminal the rotor is pointing to on the cap. You can make number one where ever it is pointing. Bump my last post. I reread your post and you have your cam and crank gears correct.
 

buddy350

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2017
Posts
95
Reaction score
72
Location
El Paso,TX
First Name
Buddy
Truck Year
1973 k20
Truck Model
Suburban
Engine Size
350
The one I posted looks retarded the info is correct just the HEI part is inverted.


It is inverted?

I am so confused?

The distributor does not look inverted.
 

twinturbo427

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2014
Posts
622
Reaction score
700
Location
Florida
First Name
Phil
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
Suburban
Engine Size
350
Slow down people.
Dot to dot is correct for installing the new gears.
Both dots up at 12 o'clock is correct for #1 tdc.
Be careful of illustrations because they are not always accurate for many reasons.
The pic HK shared shows the connector for the hei aligned towards the passenger side if you are looking at the front of the engine.
I have always used the 1st position clockwise of the connector (on drivers side) as #1 and stabbed the distributor as such.
It doesnt matter where on the cap you put #1 as long as that is where the rotor is pointing at tdc or close.
 

twinturbo427

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2014
Posts
622
Reaction score
700
Location
Florida
First Name
Phil
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
Suburban
Engine Size
350
Look at all the posts popping up so fast and not a single blip about his pajamas! ;):)
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,789
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
Slow down people.
Dot to dot is correct for installing the new gears.
Both dots up at 12 o'clock is correct for #1 tdc.
Be careful of illustrations because they are not always accurate for many reasons.
The pic HK shared shows the connector for the hei aligned towards the passenger side if you are looking at the front of the engine.
I have always used the 1st position clockwise of the connector (on drivers side) as #1 and stabbed the distributor as such.
It doesnt matter where on the cap you put #1 as long as that is where the rotor is pointing at tdc or close.
I clipped the ****** pic.
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,789
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
Look at where #2 is on this diagram then look at where it is on Honky Kong Jr's diagram.
On Honky Kong Jr's diagram the connector is labeled with #3 and #4 on either side of, then the diagram I have posted shows to have #7 and #2 on either side of the connector.

Not sure whats going on.

I am such a novice.
I removed that part of the pic because of the way the cap is facing. Sorry for any confusion.
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,789
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
This is how I have my current plug wires.

I wonder why this diagram conflicts with the diagram posted by Honky Kong JR.

You must be registered for see images attach
Go by this mine sucked
 

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,086
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
Valves have been adjusted and rechecked multiple times. They are all set with just a minute amount of play when in the relaxed "no load" position.

This doesn't sound right. Hydraulic lifters I suppose? If so you don't leave any play. When the cam is lobe down, 'no load' as you described, you tighten until all the play is gone then preload 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn down on the nut. If there is play in the valve to lifter on hydraulic cams, your valves will not be opening enough. This shouldn't effect starting but sure as hell will effect idle and loss of power.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,161
Posts
910,396
Members
33,658
Latest member
87POPS
Top