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Old 06-18-2021, 08:15 PM   #1
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Engine in, still doesn't run yet.

Well, we got one engine rebuilt and ready to start. Only problem, can't get it to start. Got spark, Rebuilt carbs, and got a new Edelbrock. Going to try that next.
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Old 06-18-2021, 09:25 PM   #2
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Well, we got one engine rebuilt and ready to start. Only problem, can't get it to start. Got spark, Rebuilt carbs, and got a new Edelbrock. Going to try that next.
Have you double-checked your firing order? I rebuilt a 440 Chrysler in a boat I had many years ago. While it started & ran, it didn't run well. After rebuilding the carburetor and then replacing the camshaft, I found I had crossed 2 of the plug wires. I was so happy that it was finally running like it was supposed to run that I wasn't the least bit upset about the labor & money I wasted due to my carelessness!
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Old 06-18-2021, 09:48 PM   #3
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Firing order will get you. One time my cams were out of phase by 360 degrees. Took me quite a few beers to figure that one out.

Is it firing at all, like trying to start? Mine wasn't and that was a major clue. Also, use starting fluid to get it going -- that way you can ignore carbuerator type issues all together.

And here is a tidbit, even though you have a gas engine -- with diesel, don't use starting fluid, but use WD40 as if it were starting fluid.
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Old 06-19-2021, 12:38 AM   #4
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Is it a counter rotating engine? Completely different firing order if it is. Or did you put the distributor in 180 out. Happens to the best of us.
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Old 06-19-2021, 07:03 AM   #5
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Yep, double check that distributor is not installed 180deg out. With rotor tip aiming at #1 and timing mark at zero, #1 could be at TDC firing or TDC valve overlap. If at valve overlap, it will not start.
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Old 06-19-2021, 07:17 AM   #6
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I had an old Ford Mustang that I put the distributor in one tooth off. It had good spark but didn't run either.
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Old 06-19-2021, 07:39 AM   #7
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If you have older gassers they may be counter rotating. Be sure you have installed the correct starter on the correct engine.

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Old 06-19-2021, 07:59 AM   #8
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When you go to do distributor timing, be aware that not all counter rotation setups are the same. Depending on the engines and who marinized them, some spin the cam and crank backwards (meaning a different distributor for reverse rotation). Others, like my Mercruiser 454s spin the crank backwards on one engine, but use a gear drive for the cam, so the cam and distributor still spin the standard direction (just with a differently ground cam).
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Old 06-19-2021, 08:59 PM   #9
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Yep, double check that distributor is not installed 180deg out. With rotor tip aiming at #1 and timing mark at zero, #1 could be at TDC firing or TDC valve overlap. If at valve overlap, it will not start.


I made sure that the #1 cylinder was on the compression stroke with a compression gauge. When I first got it together, it was 180 out, but now I'm 99.95% sure it is correct. I am going to check the firing order and trace out all the plug wires, when I'm back onboard
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Old 06-19-2021, 09:03 PM   #10
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When you go to do distributor timing, be aware that not all counter rotation setups are the same. Depending on the engines and who marinized them, some spin the cam and crank backwards (meaning a different distributor for reverse rotation). Others, like my Mercruiser 454s spin the crank backwards on one engine, but use a gear drive for the cam, so the cam and distributor still spin the standard direction (just with a differently ground cam).


I believe both my engines to be the same. The counter-rotation is done in the transmission. Both have timing chains... and when viewed from the flywheel, they spin clockwise.
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Old 06-19-2021, 09:05 PM   #11
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If you have older gassers they may be counter rotating. Be sure you have installed the correct starter on the correct engine.

pete


I believe that both my engines are the same. They both have timing chains, and when viewed from the flywheel they spin clockwise.
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Old 06-19-2021, 09:15 PM   #12
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I believe both my engines to be the same. The counter-rotation is done in the transmission. Both have timing chains... and when viewed from the flywheel, they spin clockwise.

Perfect, that makes things easy.
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Old 06-19-2021, 09:19 PM   #13
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A std rotation engine rotates CCW when viewed from FW end, looking fwd. Not CW.

Are the FW's on the front of the engines (very old skool) or on the back (typical modern).
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Old 06-19-2021, 09:41 PM   #14
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A std rotation engine rotates CCW when viewed from FW end, looking fwd. Not CW.

Are the FW's on the front of the engines (very old skool) or on the back (typical modern).


The engines are 1980's models. Both flywheels are in the rear. The starter is on the right hand side (when viewed from the rear) on both engines... and turns the flywheel clockwise. I thought that the reverse rotation engines have timing gears, instead of a chain.
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Old 06-19-2021, 09:48 PM   #15
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If you have std rotation engines with the FW on the back, and you are looking at the back looking fwd, the FW's should be rotating CCW.

Got the wrong starters??
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Old 06-19-2021, 10:12 PM   #16
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If you have std rotation engines with the FW on the back, and you are looking at the back looking fwd, the FW's should be rotating CCW.

Got the wrong starters??


I will check again when I get back onboard. I think the starters that would spin the flywheel the opposite, would not engage the flywheel and would be mounted on the other side of the engine, but I will look into it more... thank you.
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Old 06-19-2021, 11:20 PM   #17
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We bought a boat with a newly rebuilt engine. It would start but had no power. Found that the rebuilder had put an automotive cam in instead of a marine cam. The firing order was all messed up. But it would at least start and run up in neutral.
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Old 06-21-2021, 01:55 PM   #18
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I will check again when I get back onboard. I think the starters that would spin the flywheel the opposite, would not engage the flywheel and would be mounted on the other side of the engine, but I will look into it more... thank you.

You're right (I think) my starter is spinning the flywheel in the wrong direction for this engine. Putting the correct starter on...today. Did I cause any damage to my engine by trying to start it in reverse?

Thank you, it got me looking. It does appear my starter was wrong.

I'm going to check firing order again and try to start it the "right" way, which is CCW at the flywheel.

I'll let you know. Thank you
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Old 06-21-2021, 08:16 PM   #19
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UPDATE: Our port side engine is RUNNING!

YaY!

Thank you, everyone for your help!
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Old 06-21-2021, 08:18 PM   #20
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You're right (I think) my starter is spinning the flywheel in the wrong direction for this engine. Putting the correct starter on...today. Did I cause any damage to my engine by trying to start it in reverse?

Thank you, it got me looking. It does appear my starter was wrong.

I'm going to check firing order again and try to start it the "right" way, which is CCW at the flywheel.

I'll let you know. Thank you


Thank you!
The reverse rotation starter was our main issue. Once I got the correct starter in and fixed 2 plug wires I had reversed, she fired right up!

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