[3rdgenmess]

Hello every one...I'm having a big issue getting my car to start...I have a 350 don't know too much about the engine to be honest and a 750 cfm holley street avenger, highrise intake that's all I know from looking at it. it turns over when I turn the key and makes a funny sound...its hard to describe sorta sounds like dropping a big rock ina pool if u can imagine that...but anyway I turned it over and a big flame comes out my carb...I know this has to do w/ timing I tried to advance it to see it would ignite and start. But the problem is, I did the whole top dead center, pointed the rotor to number 1 spill and nothing positive happend...checked fuel, checked spark, air, timing, everything...I'm very worried and think I have something wrong with the engine itself, if anyone can shed light on this id be highly appreciative..thanks

[DoubleVision]

First things first. Is the firing order correct? Here`s the firing order:
1 8 4 3 6 5 7 2 so this is the order they go on the cap. I`m sure you know also number 1 is the first cylinder on the drivers side, number 2 is the first cylinder on the passengers side and etc. Just going over the bases here.
Next is number 1 on the cap can be anywhere, so if you point it at the number 1 cylinder but if the plug wire isn`t going to the number 1 cylinder it don`t work too well. So if the cap is timed different lets correct it.
Move the distributor so the vacuum advance is inbetween the firewall and the intake manifold, Now look at the terminal on the cap that`s pointing to the number 1 cylinder, make that terminal number 1 then route the firing order from there. Now, Have a friend give you a hand on the next procedure. Have him bump the engine over until the rotor is pointing at the inbetween 4 and 5 o`clock position. Now pull the distributor. Next remove the number 1 spark plug, place your finger partially over the spark plug hole. Have your assitant bump it over until you feel the pressure blow your finger off the hole, then look at your balancer and timing mark, when it`s pointing anywhere from zero to 12 degrees before top dead center is okay. Now, drop the distributor back in and point the rotor towards the number 1 cylinder, it should fully seat. If it does not pull it back out and go back towards the 4 o`clock position and it should fully seat. The reason for doing so is, with it fully seated your timing specs are true. Many set it before the distributor fully seats and when it seats it knocks the timing off.
Now put it all back together and see if she`ll fire off.

[cobalt327]

That "rock in a pool" can be associated w/a valve that is burned badly or bent/stuck open. I'd do a quick compression test to see if there's a dead hole- i.e. compression way too low.

Good luck.

[3rdgenmess]

I was strongly believing that's what it was...that's the only thing I haven't checked yet...compression smh...

[3rdgenmess]

im about to start pulling heads to try and look further into this engine and wanted some one to tell me if my timing chain is too sloppy or is it supposed to respond like this???

picture1 is pressing on left side
picture2 is not pressing at all
picture3 is pressing on right side

[DoubleVision]

The chain has some slack in it but not bad, however there`s no lube on it either, when it fires up and gets hot quickly without lube it stretches fast.
I won`t use a single roller chain unless it`s the Cloyes single roller for Vortec blocks.

[3rdgenmess]

Well from what your telling me, timing is not my issue...

[3rdgenmess]

I'm confused...I checked everything except compression and vacuum but it putters on starter fluid anyway 3 months of diagnosing this engine trying to start it and still gotten nowhere...today I did notice something when I called a mobile Mechanic over...when he was trying to start her up, there was gas under the car that shot out the driver side header...he said it was the choke, once I replace it ill be good to go. I definitely disagree, a bad choke can't possibly cause fuel to run out the exhaust...I know the valves can't be out of sync...because it started on the starting fluid fine like its been running all year. I'm all clued out???? The mechanic also said when and if it starts again...it will be an extremely loud backfire, I jus want to know what the hell is wrong with the POS so I can know wether to store it or trash it.

[DoubleVision]

Clue us in on what your working on, what type ignition?

[3rdgenmess]

350 5.7 sbc...holley 750 street avenger carb, hi-rise intake, 9.5:1 compression...just rebuilt the carb...

[3rdgenmess]

Not exactly sure of what type of ignition is in it...I changed the the distributer coil, wires and plugs...I had accel wires before the engine flooded the first time...and it flooded because I had the wrong flywheel in it...replace the flywheel and plugs, wires and dizzy coil and had no luck since

[68NovaSS]

The flywheel has nothing to do with the motor flooding. Do you have any history for us? When's the last time it ran, is it a swap from TBI to carb or anything? What year is it? What makes you think the valves aren't set incorrectly, just because it fired on ether? It'll fire on ether on 4 cylinders, not great, but that puttered or started briefly doesn't mean it's all adjusted correctly.

I think the rock in a pool noise you mention in an earlier post is belching out the carb, either valves set wrong, damaged or timing way out. It's been over 3 months, have you checked compression yet?

[spinn]

Do you have any guys locally that you know or have made purchases from, that can take a look at what is going on. Hotrodders usualy like looking at other cars and are glad to help. Not give away the secrets to the universe, but get you on the correct path.

Awild stab. Sounds like a carb uel leak rom a torn accel pump gasket, running down the header.

[68NovaSS]

You have two threads with the same problem, with additional information in each, they've been merged here. Please don't double post, if you post back to your original, it will bump to the top. Thanks

[onlyfnway]

I know this sounds crazy, but i have seen where people put the wrong gasket back on the carb and it caused a massive fuel dump into the intake.