400 will not start after maintenance...grrrr...Yeah!

[Nacho-RT74]

I used a long screwdriver and insert it on slot, then turn it backwards to the gear direction. This makes it pop out and make it turn up to the desired point, then "screw" it in

[birdsandbees]

Yep.. what I did as well.. but the forceps let me remove it and check it for wear, lube and reinstall. What's happening on the FedEx side.. PM me..

[Back N Black]

Where the dist base contacts the engine surface, is it clean to provide a good ground for the dist?

[Nacho-RT74]

the dist bracket should be enough for that

[birdsandbees]

the dist bracket should be enough for that

Gives me good reason to check mine for zero ohms though before mine won't start either.... Fresh paint on engine.. O ring distributor seal.. freshly painted hold down bracket and bolt..  Something else for tomorrow.. LOL

[Nacho-RT74]

the ground is just for the reluctor. The pick up coil leads must be isolated anyway.

are you using points or elect system?

[AKcharger]

Update: Only had a little bit of time but swapped Coil from '72 to the '70 and upon start '70 did the same thing...coughed, but finally caught and started. Got a new coil for '72, set 15° BTC shot of starting fluid and engine coughed once...then nothing. ran out of time. With no back fire or anything I'm thinking this is electrical. even if it was 180° out there would be wicked backfires, now there NOTHING.
GRRRRRRR 

[RallyeMike]

This is going to sound ridiculous, but I have wired a B cap for clockwise rotation at least 3 or 4 times in my life... they don't work that way.

[RECHRGD]

I know you've stated that the wires have been checked over and over.  That said, my engine did the exact same thing when I was doing my new Firecore installation.  It turned out that I had installed the wires one post off of where they should have been.  It's easy to do if you don't mark the cap posts.  Moved all the wires one post clockwise and it purred like a kitten.....

[birdsandbees]

Yep.. I just caught / corrected myself from previously setting the distributor to #1 cap position thinking CCW was #1 after the "clip".. and not BEFORE the clip! Distributor sits in a much nicer position for the vacuum advance module now..  

[AKcharger]

This is going to sound ridiculous, but I have wired a B cap for clockwise rotation at least 3 or 4 times in my life... they don't work that way.

Wait....wait, I think that's what I might have done!!!!! That will be the 1st thing I check when I get home!

[69wannabe]

I was wondering if you got it going yet, yes the B and RB distributor turn's counter clock wise. So easy to get this going the wrong direction when wiring up your plug wires. I have also got the plug wires swapped around down where the plugs are too.

[ACUDANUT]

 

[Nacho-RT74]

Never thought on that since both cars you got are big block, so mentally you should be programed for that LOL

[Bob]

Any new updates?

Bob

[redgum78]

I changed coil and distributor on a 400ci and had similar issues. Because I had the distributor out I assumed I must have stuffed up the timing or firing order. Checked both twice before I tested the new coil with an ohm meter. It tested within spec and was brand new so I then stated looking else where. Wasted half a day chasing the fault before I eventually thought I would try a coil of another car.
It started straight up.

[AKcharger]

OK Got it going  . I indeed had the wires in the right order, but clock-wise, not anti-clockwise. So I swapped them around and...Still nothing!!!! Grrrrr again!!!! So I thought maybe after installing/removing the distributor multiple times I had it 180° out...I did! So FYI, if the wires are in clockwise order and the distributor is 180° out the car will NOT run!

[Bob]

OK Got it going  . I indeed had the wires in the right order, but clock-wise, not anti-clockwise. So I swapped them around and...Still nothing!!!! Grrrrr again!!!! So I thought maybe after installing/removing the distributor multiple times I had it 180° out...I did! So FYI, if the wires are in clockwise order and the distributor is 180° out the car will NOT run!

Awesome!!!!!!

Bob

[Kern Dog]

I'm going to write this down for future reference.   

[BSB67]

OK Got it going  . I indeed had the wires in the right order, but clock-wise, not anti-clockwise. So I swapped them around and...Still nothing!!!! Grrrrr again!!!! So I thought maybe after installing/removing the distributor multiple times I had it 180° out...I did! So FYI, if the wires are in clockwise order and the distributor is 180° out the car will NOT run!

This was a great learning for you.  You cannot beat that.

FWIW, 99.999% of the time, when you mess with something on the car, and then it does not run, or run right, it is something that you did, or you didn't do. And the more you think it is not what you did (because you checked it 10000 time) it always is, because you cannot get past knowing it is right.  I've seen this play out 100 times.