Topic: Hei distributor, with cloth copper core wire w/brass clips

[clawhamer]

Hello, my question is I'm trying to start chevy 350 w/hei dist. With cloth copper core  cloth wires and traditional brass clips,  First of all "can you use copper core wire w/ hei distributor"  The wire looks like a 16 gauge wire. And I pulled a plug and for spark and it's there but not to strong ?  A new Hei, plugs,   Please help... 

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[lowboy]

With an HEI your wires should be fine. Are you getting a full 12 volts while cranking?

[Blackwater]

If you're using the original wiring to feed the distributor, you may have a resistor or inline resistor wire feeding the original ignition. Check to see if the voltage with the key in the run position is 12V. Original coil and point ignition was reduced to 6V in the run condition. The old free standing ignition coils were 6V and used a booster wire from the start circuit for temporary 12V when starting.

HEI doesn't like low voltage!!  12V is essential!!!

As long as it's stranded wire the insulation should be fine here!! Do check, if you're using this for spark plug wires, to make sure the insulation doesn't leak off anywhere that it might be touching other conductive items.

[clawhamer]

K, I'll check voltage.  Some history: this is a used 95 chevy 350 60k 700r4 I got free. I changed timing chain to noisy gear drive, a new duel plane manafold, hei distributor,  I rebuilt rochester quad, I wired it up just for starting, key to a ford solenoid to the starter.  With 4 gauge copper wire and 12 gauge from ignition at key directly to hei.. tonight I'll check all voltage.

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[clawhamer]

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[clawhamer]

Ok, checked voltage at ignition switch 12.26v checked at hei  12.26v while cranking... wow drops to 10.75v probably way to low. I'll trickle charge overnight and try tomarrow. I also checked TDC "it blew my finger off" ,firing order again. I also riged up a temp lawnmower gas tank to check mechinacal fuel pump. It's getting fuel. Maybe timing gear off ?Hopefully it will fire up tomarrow.

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[Blackwater]

Make sure you have a good,solid, heavy ground to the engine and get as close to 14 volts as you can! A boost is not a bad thing and the engine ought to turn about 650 RPMs to start. I know! I know!!  They usually don't turn that fast, but on initial start-up it can't hurt!!

[clawhamer]

I checked the battery 12.80v  so I tried it.  "It started.!  I need a new battery. it needed me to adjust fuel /air mixture. Seated then out 2 full turns ? Runs only open throttle and around 1500 rpm Question, would it even start if the gear drive was out/off of timing, a tooth or so?.it's also possible the rochester carburetor I rebuilt is jacked up too.


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[Blackwater]

Check for vacuum leaks! Check spark timing and compression.

How hard is it to start now that you have it running and does it rev slow?

If compression is good and you don't have to advance or retard the timing too much it is probably internally timed correctly.

[clawhamer]

K , I'll check vacuum leaks, compression. need to borrow a timing light.

I have to open throttle all the way just to keep running, yes the rev is slow.

And what's good compression 70/ 80 lbs ?

Would it even start if timing gear was off ?

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[Blackwater]

If everything else is correct and the rings are good the compression should be close to 150 psi on an average stock engine, warmed up and shut off. Some of the old smoggier engines were lower compression. All of your cylinders should be close to the same compression.

YES!!! It will run with the gear off a tooth or maybe two, but not well.  When you installed the gears, did you line up all of the timing marks exactly like they are supposed to be??  It sounds like you might ought to pull the timing cover and check. There should be instructions that came with the timing set.

Take your time and check everything at least twice.

[clawhamer]

Easily done now to check timing gear, and everything else. .I'm off work tomarrow.

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[clawhamer]

Ok, checked timing gear drive it was 180 off . Don't know how that happened. Also checked compression between 145/ 170, #5 was 170.   most  of them 150

  I took off carburetor and noticed the dual plane manafold the drivers side had a puddle of gas and other side was dry no gas.  So I took the carb to have someone look at my shit rebuild job. .

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[Blackwater]

One thing a lot of people do is try to fix too much at once. You'll get a more harmonious outcome if you correct the first problem you encounter and then try out your combination and if it doesn't work, you move on to the next symptom and correct that problem.

Don't try to fix too many things at once.

The Q-Jet is a tough build if you've never done it. Get your guy to show you what needs to be done if he will.

[clawhamer]

It's my brother in law  and I'll be able to look over his shoulder. And this is my 3rd build first was a 53 ford f100 18 years ago  chevy 4.3 with volare front clip . daily driver for 15 years. Second solo build 1970 yamaha xs650 rat bike.  This is my 3rd 27 ford 5 widow. I'm also impatient and want to drive this already I started this in the summer. Thanks for all your help. were going to look at carb this weekend

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[clawhamer]

Wrap up,  rechecked everything the timing gear drive was 180°off. Got new plug wires, fixed carburetor secondaries cam was missing. fuel/ air mixture fine tuned. Timing set.

 Runs great... thanks for everyone's help.. on to the body. .

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[hotwheels]

That is awesome.

[Blackwater]

Glad you got it figured out!!  Enjoy the results of your efforts!!!