I know it is a bit off topic here, but some of you guys have been doing this stuff for a while. I got my Monte motor back in the car this weekend, but ran into some trouble getting it to run. It will run fine from ~2000 rpms up, but anything below that and it just dies (with a nice bit of spitting out the carb..). Also, when I try to start it without revving it, it attempts to start, but mainly sputters and spits out the carb.

I tried advancing and retarding the distributor, but that didn't seem to help too much. I have good fuel pressure, and the carb ran fine before I took the motor out (3 mos ago). So, I am wondering if the distributor is a bit off or ??? Does anyone have any thoughts?

Here is the engine setup:
383 SBC
Comp XE282HR retro roller cam
MSD 6AL ignition (new)
Holley 770 Street Avenger Carb

Thanks for reading this, and let me know what you think.

Jim

<small>[ May 20, 2002, 11:58 AM: Message edited by: Jim98TA ]</small>

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Sounds like the distributor is a tooth off. Have you checked the timing with a light? </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I would agree with that.

 

if the distributor is only a tooth off then you shoudl have enough room to at least make it idle by moving it.

run it at the lowest rpm you can and see what the timing is. if its way off then adjust it till it is close at that speed. if you cant get it close shut iff the car and move each plug wire one termial over in the direction you need to go and retry it.

Contrary to popular belief you do NOT need to remove the distributor if you put it in a little off. also make sure that the plug wires are on in the right order, and that they are going in the right direction. (ive seen both problems and both cars ran)

Edit... Also check to make sure that the mechanical advance weights arent stuck. I had a car tha thad stuck weights, and it either idled like crap and ran good up top or it would idle OK and not run for its life above 2K

<small>[ May 20, 2002, 10:07 PM: Message edited by: Freak ]</small>

 

Sounds like the distributor is a tooth off. Have you checked the timing with a light?

 

I haven't been able to check the timing because I can only get it to run at a high rpm. Although I could get some kind of ballpark number. I also think it may be the distributor. Hopefully it is that easy.

 

I would check for vacuum leaks and try messing with the timing more.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Jim98TA:
<strong>I haven't been able to check the timing because I can only get it to run at a high rpm. Although I could get some kind of ballpark number. I also think it may be the distributor. Hopefully it is that easy.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">you should be checking the timing at 3k+rpm. Total advance is what you should be tuning for...around 32-36 deg will be fine in that combo. Back firing out the carb usually indicates it's retarded.

once you have done this and it has smoothed out up there....bring the thing back to idle and see what you can get it to hold at without stalling...you may need to start changing power valves with that cam to get it right...email me if I can help you....

follower prelaod will also give the same symptons...did you bleed them or are they in dry?

<small>[ May 21, 2002, 06:08 AM: Message edited by: HOWQUICK ]</small>

 

I would put the # 1 piston at TDC on the compression stroke and see where the rotor is at to make sure it isn't way off. It sounds like you may have a vacuum or one of the floats is high or stuck. I would check the floats and pull the needle and seat to see if it has something in it. <img border="0" alt="[Firebird]" title="" src="graemlins/formula.gif" />

 

You guys are awesome. Thanks for all the great replies and the info. When I got home I started checking on things. The distributor was dead on. So I pulled a valve cover to make sure the pushrods weren't holding the valves open, and they were adjusted OK, again everything was OK. So then I bit the bullet and checked the timing gears, again OK.... So WTF... Decided to put the stock HEI coil back into the cap and bypass all the MSD stuff. Idled like a champ. Turns out the idiot that hooked up the MSD box (aka me) didn't do it right. Now I just gotta get everything set, idle, mixture screws, etc.

Thanks again for all your suggestions, I appreciate your time.

Jim