Its an odd problem that I think is related to timing but im not entirely sure.

Basically, when the engine is cold, and I go to start it, it doesn't want to start, it grinds a few times when i turn the key until finally it starts to turn over. Then the car starts and runs more or less fine. If I shut the car off, then try to start it up again, it does basically the same thing. Grinds and doesn't wanna turn over. Someone had suggested before to hook a switch up to the 12 V into the dist, flick it off while I turn over, then while its turnin over flick it on, that way I can run with as much advance as I need.

So other issue. I had to move to the city (job related) and the car has been sitting for months....hasn't been started, its in dire shape now, I feel so bad about it..... Anyway, I went out to try to start it yesterday and that grind was there, but now, it won't even turn over at all, and it turns the lights off and on when it tries to turn over. My dad and I both think its just too dead to turn it over (its got a big cam and advanced timing.) think this is what it is?

Thanks

 

If by "grinds" you mean a starter related issue, then I'd have to say that the starters "Bendix" is going bad. You may want to check your battery, as this is a cause for the "grinding" sound made by the starter if there is not enough juice to get the bendix fully engaged. Try a new battery if its readily avaliable to just swap in to try it.

Big cam and advanced timing shouldn't do anything really, the advanced timing may have some effect if we're talking like 20* base timing... that may be excessive but then again I am not certain if you have a TPI,TBI, carb or whatever so if you can give more info that'd be great.