5.7L Spark and Fuel, But Wont Hit?

sjohnson44

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Re: 5.7L Spark and Fuel, But Wont Hit?

I'd rather not.

I'll just keep at it on my own. Thanks anyways.
 

Don S

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Re: 5.7L Spark and Fuel, But Wont Hit?

Try squirting some gas squirt bottle.jpgin the carb and see if it runs a bit longer.
 

Bondo

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Re: 5.7L Spark and Fuel, But Wont Hit?

Yes I did.

I rotated the engine until the lifter was all the way down and tighten the rocker until I just couldnt turn the push rod. I did that for each lifter.

There is a tube coming out of the back of the carb, I tried plugging it off and it actually tried to run but it would start but rotate slowly like it was lugging down. It rotated like that probably 3 times around before quiting.

Ayuh,.... Those valves are way, Way, WAAYYY over tight....

To remove the Lash, is to stop any play, Up/ Down.....

On a motor with properly adjusted valves, not runnin',.. there's always a few "Loose" valves....

I'd rather not.

Well,... You'd better do some readin' 'bout the Basics of gasoline engines.....

You've got the ambition, but yer lackin' the Basic Knowledge....
 

81 Checkmate

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Re: 5.7L Spark and Fuel, But Wont Hit?

sjohnson - As Bondo said your valve lash adjusting procedure was way off.

Read up on it and try again! Ill bet she will fire on the first try.
 

sjohnson44

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Re: 5.7L Spark and Fuel, But Wont Hit?

Thanks guys, I read a hundred and one different ways to adjust the valves, some said till it wont move up/down and some till it cant turn. I'm fixing to go out and back them off.

The guys at work were suggesting that I was 180 out on distributor, but that cant be right if I set it by #1 TDC, correct?
 

Don S

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Re: 5.7L Spark and Fuel, But Wont Hit?

The guys at work were suggesting that I was 180 out on distributor, but that cant be right if I set it by #1 TDC, correct?

At this point, I don't think anyone knows if you have TDC on the compression stroke or not. Do a compression test, that will answer all the questions. The reason is, if you had #1 TDC on the exhaust stroke and did the valves and set the distributor, then you will be 180 out on the distributor and no compression on a cylinder or two because the valve are too tight.
 

81 Checkmate

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Re: 5.7L Spark and Fuel, But Wont Hit?

You have to adjust them in a sequence. Put the motor on 1# TDC compresion stroke! Both valves should be closed at this point

Then adjust your valve lash, spin the push rod back and forth while tightening the nut down, when it stops spinning stop tightening the nut.

You should beable to adjust more than one cyl at this point, look it up and read

This is just for start up, then after you get it running they will need final adjustment.

Im just an old school guy. The people on here realy know their s****** when it comes to motors and boats!
 

sjohnson44

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Re: 5.7L Spark and Fuel, But Wont Hit?

At this point, I don't think anyone knows if you have TDC on the compression stroke or not. Do a compression test, that will answer all the questions. The reason is, if you had #1 TDC on the exhaust stroke and did the valves and set the distributor, then you will be 180 out on the distributor and no compression on a cylinder or two because the valve are too tight.

I completely understand Don, Im sorry I cant provide anymore tech. info about what Ive got and I realize this is all hit or miss and yall can only give me the best logical answer without making any assumptions, and I appreciate yalls patience.

Its not all about just getting the engine at TDC and throwing the distributor in and it being dead on. The valves and lifters have to work in sequence with the distributor as well. Anyone of them being wrong could throw the whole thing off. The cam runs all three so it makes sense now, just didnt GET it before.

So at this point, I am taking a shot in the dark without knowing how the timing chain was installed. Im gonna make a call to the machine shop and ask the man how he did it if he can remember, then maybe I will have a higher understanding.


I'm going to try to find some more literature on adjusting the valves and then go back from there. Maybe I can get it right with the intake on, be a lot easier with it off but Im a little too far in the woods for that now.

Thanks again guys, I think Im lernnin :)
 

Don S

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Re: 5.7L Spark and Fuel, But Wont Hit?

Yes, it all has to work together, but you also have to do things one step at a time, in the proper order.
I went back over the posts, and you have a bunch of problems. So if you want to fix them, say so and I will take you one step at a time if you want, or you can try to do it all at once and by committee.

If you want to get it done right, forget the machine shop. They didn't adjust the valves because you put the heads on.

So what do you do?
Take the distributor out of the engine and get it out of your way. It is not needed at this point and probably in wrong anyway.
Next, with the valve covers off, back off all the rocker arm nuts until there is only around 1 thread showing on each. rocker stud.
Next. Find #1 TDC on the Compression stroke as stated in this thread. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=427081

Once you have that, and are sure you are on #1 TDC on the compression stroke, we can move on to the next step.


PS: I don't care if you follow my instructions or someone elses. But stop trying to follow all of them at one time.
 

81 Checkmate

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Re: 5.7L Spark and Fuel, But Wont Hit?

There ya go!

Understand it a bit more before you tackel it.

No need to pull the intake! to adjust the rockers.

Good luck and let us know the outcome.
 

Scott Danforth

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Re: 5.7L Spark and Fuel, But Wont Hit?

Don, with the number of engine build threads and the recurring question on valve lash, I would recommend adding to the stickies
 

Don S

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Re: 5.7L Spark and Fuel, But Wont Hit?

The distributor installation also has to be done while the engine is set at #1 TDC on the Compression stroke which if you just finished adjusting the valves and haven't turned the engine, is just one more revolution of the crankshaft to get from #6 to #1 TDC on the Compression (Firing as Merc calls it) position.
Here is the firing order so you can see where the rotor should be pointing when you intall the distributor, and the position of the distributor so the cap and the #1 number on the cap all line up. Adjust the distributor body so the rotor will be almost to the #1 terminal on the cap.
That should be close enough to start the engine.

Firing order.jpg

You will probably have to use a long screw drive to position the oil pump shaft in position so the distributor will sit down all the way.

Be sure to check that your plug wires are in the correct order and rotation on the distributor cap.

Once you start the engine (on muffs of course) you will need to warm the engine up and put the igntion system into base timing mode in order to set the timing with a timing light. This file should explain that.

View attachment TB5 Dist install and timing.pdf
 

sjohnson44

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Re: 5.7L Spark and Fuel, But Wont Hit?

Thanks Don, moving on to the distributor.
 

sjohnson44

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Re: 5.7L Spark and Fuel, But Wont Hit?

Will have to pick up tommorrow, its 6PM here and I got work from 630pm-630am. Going to take me a minute to get distributor lined up properly anyways. Thanks again Don.
 

Black as

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Re: 5.7L Spark and Fuel, But Wont Hit?

Yes I did.

I rotated the engine until the lifter was all the way down and tighten the rocker until I just couldnt turn the push rod. I did that for each lifter.

There is a tube coming out of the back of the carb, I tried plugging it off and it actually tried to run but it would start but rotate slowly like it was lugging down. It rotated like that probably 3 times around before quiting.

The Chevrolet 5.7-liter (350-cubic-inch) engine employs an overhead valve design that requires occasional maintenance. Adjusting the clearance between the valve stem and rocker arm, a process known as setting valve lash, can be complicated. The rocker arms and valve train are located on top of the cylinder heads and are easy to access by removing the valve covers.

1 Instructions
o
Start and run the engine until it reaches operating temperature. Shut the engine off and move quickly to step two.
o 2
Remove the valve covers from both cylinder heads. There are either two bolts in the center or four around the edges (engine year dependent) securing the valve covers to the cylinder heads.
o 3
Attach a wrench to the crankshaft drive gear. This will allow the rotating assembly and valvetrain to be rotated manually.
o 4
Use the wrench to turn the crankshaft until the number one intake valve is at full lift (the number one rocker arm will be pressing the valve down all the way). Adjust the number six intake valve. The valve is adjusted by tightening the intake valve rocker arm nut until the rocker arm prevents the pushrod from being spun between your fingers. Back the rocker arm nut off 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn.
o 5
Repeat the valve adjustment process in step three on all intake valves in the following order: number eight intake valve at full lift-adjust number five intake valve. Number four valve full lift-adjust number seven valve. Number three valve full lift-adjust number two valve. Number six valve full lift-adjust number one valve. Number five valve full lift-adjust number eight valve. Number seven valve full lift-adjust number four valve. Number two valve full lift-adjust number two valve.
o 6
Use the adjustment procedure described in step four to adjust the exhaust valves in the same order described in step five.
o 7
Install new valve cover gaskets and replace both valve covers. Install and torque all valve cover bolts to three foot-pounds.
 

sjohnson44

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Re: 5.7L Spark and Fuel, But Wont Hit?

Followed all directions to the T. Adjusted valves just as the instructions said in order, and installed distributor as it shows in the picture.

Somehow, I still dont think they are right. I got rockers that just flop around.

Regardless, engine still wont fire off. Start over?
 

Don S

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Re: 5.7L Spark and Fuel, But Wont Hit?

Post pictures of the rocker arms.

Basically, if you have some rockers that are tight and some that are loose, you did something wrong. I don't know if you are turning the engine the wrong direction, or you are looking at the cylinder numbering system wrong or what, but something is wrong in your procedures.
Do a compression test right now, with some of the rockers loose and see if you have 0 compression on a couple. bet you do. And they won't be the ones with the loose rockers.
 
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