403 olds HELP PLZ

I'm surprise how many places have this wrong. Thanks for setting the record straight...


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Sadly, I'm not surprised anymore. It's a Chevy-centric world out there.

nothings worked i took the plugs out last night just incase it was flooded still wont start

If I were to come look at the car here's what I would do:

1- do compression test ( you say its cranking fast)
2- crank it with the cap off and see which way the rotor is spinning
3- check that rotor is fully seated, not loose and looks like its fitting in the cap properly.
4- look up a diagram of the cylinder numbering, its not like a ford. The cylinders might be numbered on the intake manifold also.
5- put finger in #1 plug hole and rotate engine to tdc compression, afterward try and look down the plug hole (balancer could be spun)
5- make a mark with a sharpie at the base of the distributor where the number one wire is take off the cap and turn the distributor housing until the rotor is lined up with the mark. Here is picture I doctored in paint to show roughly what I mean.

6- put the wires on the cap in the direction you saw the rotor spinning.
7- Put on the timing light and start the engine.

If it wont start turn the distributor a bit while cranking, look at the timing light too. To check spark pull off a wire at the plug and hold the wire slightly away from the plug. While cranking you want a blue spark at least 1" long. Also check the rotor and cap terminals inside for corrosion.

ive done all that and still no start the motor spins free new gas new cap button gas oil wires plugs timing is dead on TDC still nothing

How much compression does it have? Is the carb putting out any gas, are the plugs getting wet? While cranking the engine and turning the distributor do you get any pops or nothing at all?

compression 10.1 gas in carb 2 4 6 8 wet but 1 3 5 7 dry dont know why pops or nothing at all

i think what he ment by compression is, do a compression test. mabye you have a cylinder that lost compression.

Yes im having the same issue timing my 403. I got it to fire once but now she just turns over but make sure you put your distributor wires on right. Olds running rotation is counter clockwise not clockwise

i did a compresson test its good in all cylinders how can i test and see if the coil isnt putting out the right arc i know it blue but maybe not blue enough

Just a question for you. How are your timing marks lined up? Like on my 403 they are at 6 and 12 and when i put my distributor in i pointed rotor at cylinder #1 which is apparently wrong. It should be pointed at #6 at TDC. Rotor points at #1 if your timing marks are 12 and 12. Just found that out recently. Might want to check that and as far as spark goes just take a plug out with spark plug wire attached and ground plug to block or frame and turn engine over a couple times. Should see spark.

On a HEI coil (key OFF), measure the resistance between the "TACH" and the "12VDC" (power into the coil). There should be about 1Ω or less, but not infinite.

The other check is between the center carbon electrode that touches the rotor and the "12VDC" coil terminal. There should be anywhere between 5K and 30KΩ resistance.

EDIT- Better yet, see Post #3, docvette had it all down, including diagrams.

i dont know how the timing marks are i didnt pull the timing cover off only thing i has out is the distributor ok if your facing the #1 plug which valve is intake and should it be up or down

Try this. Spin engine counted clockwise and just when piston #1 is about at TDC turn engine back 12 degrees. Look at your balancer when your doing this. That will indicate to you the 12 degrees, if your balancer is correct.... Now put your distributor in with rotor pointing at the #1 cylinder. Make a mark on engine so you know exactly where that rotor is pointing. Now put distributor cap on and the terminal that is closest to that mark you made is the terminal you will you for the #1 plug wire. Then follow that plug wire in the counterclockwise running rotation and use the firing order 18436572

Fire and you have fuel. I still say it's still off at the timng. JMO
No need to get all frustrated we have all been there it was running before back track yourself one more time and see where you went wrong. Why did you take the distributer out anyway. wires or timing IMHO
Check post # 3 the distributer go counterclockwise. Relax and go back and re-time your engine check all the plug wires and around the distributer and coil.JMO And check the spark plugs too. It will run again.

Cole