350 hard start

[oldave39]

1975 Chevy 350 right hand with eldebrock 4 bl, eldebrock performer manifold, mallory dual point dist. and 2 gear drive cam. Engine cold starts fine anf runs fine from idle to wot. After shut down it is hard to crank. Starter grunts and engine sounds as if it locks up. All fuel lines are rubber and not near engine. Not hot, never over 165. Thought it was too much advance and hooked timing light, heres the problem or question. The timing mark is about at the 3 o'clock position. No where near the timing tab. How do check the timing?

 

[Ed R]

Re: 350 hard start

Timng should be 8 degrees BTDC, But, sounds like distributor is not doing its job! is it a old vacuum or mechanical type ??

 

[oldave39]

Re: 350 hard start

The dist. is mechanical with tach drive. When I move the dist to try and get the timing mark back to the tab it starts running rough and dies. Also on a right hand engine which side of the timing tab is advance?

 

[Ed R]

Re: 350 hard start

Right hand !!!! are you sure? all standard motors are left hand, {cars, trucks, etc.} timing grid on right hand motor would be to the left side !

 

[Bondo]

Re: 350 hard start

After shut down it is hard to crank. Starter grunts and engine sounds as if it locks up.

Ayuh,....

Sounds like Hydro-lock,....

Have you checked for Water in the cylinders,..??

 

[oldave39]

Re: 350 hard start

This motor is in a 18' chris craft that was upgraded to a 350 with OMC add ons. The exhaust manifolds are OMC (Barr) with risers. I have not checked for water back-up but after the moter sets for a short while, it starts right up. Does anyone know why the timing marking is at the 3 o'clock position? This motor has 26 hrs on a prof. rebuild.

 

[Ed R]

Re: 350 hard start

hey you guys, what was that about? p.m.? I am just trying to help on a own time! or maybe that mesage was't for me ?

 

[Don S]

Re: 350 hard start

Does anyone know why the timing marking is at the 3 o'clock position?

Are you sure you have your timing light on #1 spark plug? It's a Chevy, and front PORT spark plug is #1.

 

[oldave39]

Re: 350 hard start

The motor is a pulley forward not flyweel forward and yes I am sure I am on the no. 1 spark plug.

 

[Don S]

Re: 350 hard start

I WAS talking about the "Pulley Forward" engine being port forward.

 

[Ed R]

Re: 350 hard start

Ok, its standard rotation, {left hand] .Timing should be around 1 0 clock [to the right, it sounds like the springs and weights in distributor are rusted and your timing the motor by ear! .

 

[Don S]

Re: 350 hard start

Ok, its standard rotation, {left hand] .

If he has 2 timing gears, and no timing chain, it's a RH (Right Hand) rotation engine. Common on twin engine installations in the 70, 80, and 90's. NOT common on cars and trucks.
Even if the springs and weights were rusted solid, if you set the timing properly, it won't change.

 

[oldave39]

Re: 350 hard start

The motor is a right hand . Standing at the rear of the motor it turns clockwise. Looking at the motor from the front it turns counter clockwise. Also the firing order is reversed.

 

[Don S]

Re: 350 hard start

The firing order is reversed, but the cylinders still have the same locations as a standard LH rotation engine.

 

[Ed R]

Re: 350 hard start

Ok, if its right hand, timing mark is at 11 o clock, [ to the left] and he must be guessing at it. think about it. this is [old school ] .

 

[oldave39]

Re: 350 hard start

It is right hand and I am not guessing at the timing . I am using a sun timing light. (good one).

 

[Don S]

Re: 350 hard start

The dual points concerns me, Put a thick piece of cardboard between one set of points, check the timing and see if the problem still exists. I think it was around 35 to 40 years ago that I even seen a dual points distributor.

 

[Ed R]

Re: 350 hard start

Real simple, hook up timing light, and advance thottle and see if timing moves. forget total advance at this point.