RE: IML: Please help me start my 440!

["Robin Giesbrecht" <robings@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

She probably cranks slower because the engine is tight due to overhaul. All 
of the things you mention are possibilities.You are certain the timing is 
correct and the plug wires are connected in the right order? You should have 
a blue spark at the plugs. If it is a weak orangish spark that could be your 
problem. Could be a multitude of things. Points, capacitor, coil?Easy to 
check points. See if you can substitute a known good coil and capacitor for 
checking purposes.Does the carb squirt raw fuel into the manifold when you 
pump the throttle? If it does not then your carb is probably not filling its 
float bowl with fuel and you should check your fuel delivery system(fuel 
pump, fuel line, fuel filter,etc). If ignition and fuel delivery are ok then 
get a small container and give the engine a small drink of gas through the 
top of the carb. Put the container  down away from engine and try again. 
Another thing that has nothing to do with starting the engine, did you prime 
the oil pump? I put a new oil pump on my 440 last week and made a priming 
tool with a 3 foot piece of 1/2" threaded rod that I filed one end to fit 
the pump drive(6 flats). Then I used a drill and turned the pump 
counterclockwise until she loaded down and got pressure on the gauge. To do 
this you have to remove the distributor and use long needle nose pliers or 
something similar to pull the drive gear out. It spirals out on the bevel 
teeth of the cam. Note orientation of drive so you put it back in proper 
position for timing purposes. All told the whole operation including making 
the tool took me about an hour.

Robin Giesbrecht
72 Imperial

> From: commenace@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: IML: Please help me start my 440!
> Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2005 14:31:19 -0500
>
> I just dropped a freshly rebuilt 440 and trans, as well as a newly rebuilt 
> gear box, et al, in my 1965 Imperial Le Baron. ?(I know 413 is proper, but 
> I wanted a little more, so please no comments on my choice of engine.)
>
> On Saturday, we buttoned everything up and tried sparking her up. ?Nothing. 
> ?The engine cranks, rather slowly, but never starts. ?Went out and got a 
> new battery, engine cranked a little faster, but still no start. ?Timing is 
> spot on. ?No. 1 has compression when it's supposed to, sparkplugs are 
> firing, fuel pump is giving us gas.
>
> What's going on?
>
> A few things concern me: first, the engine seems to crank slower than I 
> remember, and second it feels as if the timing is off or the plugs aren't 
> getting power, or if they are, it seems the spark is a little weak. ?I 
> bought a new battery and starter, but as yet have not ?installed the new 
> starter. ?The timing has been checked more times than I can remember! ?It 
> is right, I'm sure of it!  Is it possible that the spark is too weak?  How 
> can that be rectified?
>
> The battery cables seemed a bit thin, about 6 or 8 gauge.  I will be buying 
> some fat cables this week and trying that on Saturday.  What about ground 
> strapping the block?  Anyone try that?  Does it make a difference?
>
> My new engine was made in '72. ?I believe the heads the heads are from mid 
> seventies. ?However, the plugs are the same type I was using on my '65 413. 
> ?Is it possible that these plugs are too shallow, not getting close enough 
> to the air/fuel mixture? ?Does that make any sense? ?Does anyone have any 
> idea as to why it turns slighltly slower than before? ?Is the torque 
> converter (also new and installed correctly) not allowing the engine to 
> turn freely? ?Also, it should be noted that the compression ratio is only 
> about a point higher, around 9.7.
>
> Any ideas, ladies and ?gentlemen?
>
> Please help me, I've been without my baby for too long!
> Thanx.
> John.
>
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