cam install, backfired????
03-28-2007, 03:10 AM
#1
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Rochester,WA
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
cam install, backfired???? I finished up my cam install but when I went to start it up it backfired. I gave it a minute and then tried again but it won't fire up. The engine turns over with no unusual noises but I don't think that I have spark, its like the engine isn't even trying to start even though it turns over fine. any help with what might be causing this would be great.
HMMMMM
03-28-2007, 01:14 PM
#6
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Valley Center KS
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Ryan K
Dot to Dot?
On my first cam install (SBC) my dad helped me and he was going from memory and we installed the distributor 180 degrees off.
Trending Topics
03-28-2007, 07:18 PM
#8
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Rochester,WA
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I checked the chain gear several times when installing and when I did the rockers and turning over the motor several times.... Dot to Dot yes, I do have a cranecams scanner and I was going to try that as well...do the coil packs as a whole have a particular side or can they be on the wrong side??? Just a thought, thanks for any help, I couldn't get to sleep last night, racking my brain about what could be the problem. 
03-28-2007, 08:02 PM
#9
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Rochester,WA
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did a DTC test and it said that there were none. I tried to start it again and it had a very small backfire, like three in a row... I took some photos and can post them if it will help to see if I am just plain missing something.
03-28-2007, 08:36 PM
#10
11 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Woodinville, WA
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Check for spark first..if you have it then...
Unless your valves are being held open...(eg. wrong push rod lenght) and are all torqued down...it should start unless you screwed something up. LS1's are very forgiving when starting up....Meaning if everything is plugged in it should start...and run for a short time.....
Here's what you do...pull the dipstick and smell your oil....Is it fuel fowled? If so, your timing gears are probably off a tooth or so....If you don't smell or just want to check further do a cranking compression test...This will tell you if the valves are opening and closing all the way, and again if your off by a tooth....(way low or excessive compression)....I'm not saying it can't be something else but of the many LS1 cars that have done this (back fire) they have all been because of timing gear install issues. If you really get stuck then take it to Ellis to fix and get running for you...It's going to need a tune anyway unless it's a really small cam...
The coil packs don't care what side their on......
Unless your valves are being held open...(eg. wrong push rod lenght) and are all torqued down...it should start unless you screwed something up. LS1's are very forgiving when starting up....Meaning if everything is plugged in it should start...and run for a short time.....
Here's what you do...pull the dipstick and smell your oil....Is it fuel fowled? If so, your timing gears are probably off a tooth or so....If you don't smell or just want to check further do a cranking compression test...This will tell you if the valves are opening and closing all the way, and again if your off by a tooth....(way low or excessive compression)....I'm not saying it can't be something else but of the many LS1 cars that have done this (back fire) they have all been because of timing gear install issues. If you really get stuck then take it to Ellis to fix and get running for you...It's going to need a tune anyway unless it's a really small cam...
The coil packs don't care what side their on......
Last edited by jimbob; 03-28-2007 at 09:05 PM.
03-28-2007, 09:10 PM
#11
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Rochester,WA
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have cranecams gold roller rockers and some have suggested that I'm free spinning the motor, could this be the problem and if so could someone explain what this term means, new one for me...
[/IMG] 
[/IMG] 
[/IMG]
[/IMG]
03-28-2007, 09:44 PM
#13
11 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Woodinville, WA
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Camaros710102
I have cranecams gold roller rockers and some have suggested that I'm free spinning the motor, could this be the problem and if so could someone explain what this term means, new one for me...
Try putting on your stock rocker and see if it's your adjusting that needs adjusting (pun intended).....
Here's the issue I have with these kind of problems....We have gave you the answer on troubleshooting to find out if it's fuel, mechanicle, or spark. Now are you going to spend a week asking guys that have no clue or actually troubleshoot the problem....IF YOU GET A BACKFIRE that means fuel and spark.....NOW, is it then the after market rockers (you just mentioned that) TOO TIGHT or TIMING GEARS installed wrong....?
Can't make heads or tails out of your photo, but I'm "Going for the After Market Rockers" now... 50/50...
Last edited by jimbob; 03-29-2007 at 01:37 AM.
03-28-2007, 09:53 PM
#14
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (15)
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: _Nor caL_ (Bay areA)
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
are u sure ur spark plug wires are on all the way? i have msd wires to.. and i bent two of those ******* when putting them back on.. also they kinda seem like they go on but if u give them alil tug back ull see that there not actually on all the way... give that a check.. if u havnt already 
03-29-2007, 09:20 AM
#15
On The Tree
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Rochester,WA
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks and I realize that you guys are way better a this than I am, I'm still learning stuff all the time about the LS-1. I'll check the spark plugs again but I think it may be the rockers. I followed the directions from Vinci but see that there are several different ways to set these rockers. Cranecams has a different way than Vinci.....I don't know?
03-29-2007, 11:22 AM
#16
10 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Marysville, WA
Posts: 9,448
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Coil packs "look good". Pull a plug wire & check for spark if in doubt. Stock LS1 rockers are torque to 22lbs & call them good. These look to be the lash type (meaning they are ones you set / gap like old school SBC rockers).....recheck the gap. Are these 1.7s? Stock push rod length? Look at the inside of the valve covers. Any contact marks? Sometimes after market rockers hit & hang open.
