New stroker won't fire...

scr11 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-09-2002, 10:20 PM

Ok, I need some help.
We tried to fire the new 393W last night, but no luck. I have fuel, I have spark, wires are correct, timing is close to 10 degrees BTC , and I'm not 180 degrees off. We did have two backfires, but after moving the distributor a few times, we heard nothing else. I can't even get the engine to stumble. I would have thought even if the timing was off a few degrees, the motor would fire. Yet, it didn't. What am I missing?
I'm running 10.2:1 compression, and I do have a high torque starter if that matters. Also, I'm using a Holley 750 HP series DP (no choke, but that shouldn't matter). I didn't flood it. I barely stepped on the gas.
I'm open to ideas!
Thanks.
Scott

Jeff Frigo · #2 (**permalink**) 01-09-2002, 11:53 PM

I hate when that happens. FE Motors fire up on the first try every time.

SVMCOBRA · #3 (**permalink**) 01-10-2002, 12:50 AM

Scott, did you pull number 1 plug out and make sure you are in time, you could be a tooth off on the timing. another thing I recently ran across was when a friend of mine rebuilt his motor he had the valves to tight and was not getting any compression, losened the valves and it fired up. Keep us posted, if you don't have it running by the weekend I would be happy to come by and give you a hand.

Ray Hedden

427Aggie · #4 (**permalink**) 01-10-2002, 02:42 AM

What type of fuel pump are you using...the spf use electric right? If its mechanical and you haven't run it before pumping the gas pedal won't do it you will probably need starting fluid. First thing is to check from the basics up....

Look in the carb and pull the throttle linkage do you get a squirt?
Pull the coil to distributor wire and see if you get spark?
Pull a distributor to plug wire and see if you get spark?

If you have the above it should start...I would do that before pulling the valve covers and getting into the rockers....

Matt

scr11 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-10-2002, 05:26 AM

I'm using an electric fuel pump. And I do have gas to the carb as I can see it squirt into the intake.

We used a timing light, so I know I have spark to the spark plugs.

As for possibly being a tooth off, it shouldn't matter in my case based on how we found TDC on #1. Here's how we did it: We made sure we were on the compression stroke and dropped in the distributor. We made number one where the rotor was.

We'll do a compresion test tonight as that will answer the valve question.

I'll let you guys know.
Thanks.
Scott

Frank Coppola · #6 (**permalink**) 01-10-2002, 06:07 AM

I know you said the wires are correct, but do you have them going the correct way on the distributor? On Fords the rotor turns counter-clockwise, and some may assume to put the wires so the firing order runs clockwise. (Not that I would ever have done such a thing!)

ERA535 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-10-2002, 08:21 AM

scr11,

As the old saying goes, if you have fuel and you have spark, then double check because it must be running!

Obviously you don't have either fuel or spark.

First - you do have (good) fuel from the accelerator pumps, right? That SHOULD mean you have fuel into the combustion chambers. You said you barely stepped on the gas -- well try depressing the accelerator two or three times or put a thimble full of gas directly into the carb.

Next - you said you have spark because the timing light works - therefore you ASSUME that the spark plugs are firing......

There is one good way to find out for sure - remove a plug and crank the engine - maybe the plugs are fouled (what kind of distributor are you using?) or maybe insufficient piston clearance closed all the electodes (if that is possible with your engine - I am not familiar with your kind of engine).

Who assembled the engine?

Good luck!

scr11 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-10-2002, 08:41 AM

Frank - I thought about the wires and I have them in the right direction.

ERA535 - I may need more gas by stepping on the pedal, but before I try that I'll try the following:
pull a plug to make sure it's firing and it hasn't made contact with the piston. I'd be shocked if anything touched the piston. My short block builder said the p/v clearance is fine based on my cam lift, roller rockers, dished SRP pistons, and my Vic Jr. heads.
As far as distributor, I'm using a MSD billet (pn 8578 I think).

I'll check these items tonight and let you all know.

Thanks for the ideas.
Scott

Dennis Mosley · #9 (**permalink**) 01-10-2002, 10:00 AM

give me a call tonight and I will shoot over. I know you have reservations about doing this but I suggest pulling the dist, find tdc again and reinstall just to double check that everything is right. Also go to the MSD site and print out the trouble shooting instructions for both the dist and the ignition box. I should be home by 6 if you want to do this.

Let's get you going!

scr11 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-10-2002, 02:02 PM

Dennis - sounds good to me. I'll give you a ring after 6pm.
Thanks.
Scott

scr11 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-10-2002, 09:13 PM

Guys - thanks for the tips. A simple compression test yielded our answer: no compression. It turns out, I had the rocker arms too tight by 1/2 turn. This was enough to keep the valves ever so slightly open.
I'll play with the timing this weekend and possibly the fuel mixture as well. Seems to be running rich right now, but hey, that's better than lean!
Thanks again!
See you all soon.
Scott

Dennis Mosley · #12 (**permalink**) 01-10-2002, 09:21 PM

and it sounds really cool too!

Congrats!

SVMCOBRA · #13 (**permalink**) 01-10-2002, 11:39 PM

Scott, glad to here you got it running.

Hope to see you and the rest of the folks at the next meeting.

Ray Hedden

Frank Coppola · #14 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 05:27 AM

How good did the beer taste while listening to your baby run?

Congrats!

427Aggie · #15 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 08:46 AM

Congradulations....can't wait to see you in Austin with the car.

50 cars here we come!!!!!!!

Matt

scr11 · #16 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 02:54 PM

I started with beer, but when it fired up, Brandy opened a bottle of Moet & Chandon White Star champagne! It was quite fine. Although, with all the exhaust fumes around, I don't remember the taste all that well!
See you guys in Austin.
Scott

Snakecharmer · #17 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 03:27 PM

Great news, Scott!!

There is no finer sound than the first engine sound from your new Cobra! I'll never forget my experience. Actually, Doug called me up to let me hear it over the phone, which doesn't count. The first real experience for me was when I went to pick it up. I was both eager and sad. Eager cause I couldn't wait to hear it, feel it, and drive it. But sad because I was also going to miss (believe it or not) all the researching, dreaming, and planning. The dream was now a reality.

I'm sure you felt the same way when she fired up. All your dreaming and planning finally came to life when your baby took it's first breath........amen brother. It only gets better from here! One of those rare situations where reality is even better than the dream. Congrats!

See you soon,

Charmer

SilverCobra · #18 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 03:48 PM

Congrats Scott on getting the stroker fired and hearing it run for the first time. I hope to be drinking the ceremonial bear in a few weeks myself.

I think it is pretty cool all the suggestions you received and even Dennis's offer to run right over and help troubleshoot.

See ya in Austin. I'll be the one under the big banner that says:

!!STROKERS RULE!!

(It has been several weeks since I read a good big block/small block dog fight)