This question is about older carburated engines('78). I have a problem that's stumping me. It's a 454 with an Edelbrock carb/cam-lifter/intake combo. I broke the cam in the way that the instructions said to , and as far as I can tell, the cam is OK. When I set the valve lash, one manual said 1/2 turn after drag on the pushrod, and another said 1 full turn. I did the 1/2 turn.
My problem is that the hi torque stock style starter(Summit) spins the engine over easily when the plugs are out-naturally. With the plugs in- the starter doesn't seem to work correctly. Some times the starter will just "click" like I'm not getting enough juice from the battery. Other times it will start to turn over really slowly with a kind of grinding noise and then finally catch and start the car. At first, I thought it was a ignition switch problem because occaisionally you hit the switch and nothing happens. Replaced the switch-same thing. Replaced the starter solenoid and reshimmed the starter-no change. Pulled the plugs-spins over fine?!?
Could this be a compression(too high) problem, or is it a timing problem? I installed a Pete Jackson gear drive but used the 4* advance bushing. I'm using a stock replacement timing cover that has the timing tab in the same location as the original-as far as I can tell- but I can't get the timing anywhere near the tab and still have it run well. Right now I have it tuned by ear-whan it starts!
Any ideas?
Thanks.

 

Sounds like timing/compression issue. Also, if the motor is new, then it should loosen up as everything seats, and wears in.

You have a few options.. you can wire in a kill switch to the ignition, then spin the motor over and flip the switch. Should help if the ignition isn't trying to fire.

I would add a Ford starter solenoid to the mix. Have you checked voltage at the IGN post on the starter? You need a good 12V to spin over a big block. That is where the Ford solenoid comes in, you get good voltage, and a lot more amps to the starter.

Get a short piece of 10 gauge wire, and hook it between the battery post and the IGN post on the GM solenoid. Then mount the Ford relay on the fender, run a short battery cable from the + side of the battery to the Ford, then another from the Ford to your GM solenoid battery post. Your stock IGN lead then goes to the Ford solenoid. The Ford only needs about 6 volts to energize it.

You also need to make sure you have a good ground from the motor to the frame and also the body.

I know they had a couple different timing tabs on the small blocks, not sure on the BBC, but they may explain your timing dilema. You can get it pretty close by ear.. when the motor is idling, turn it back and forth until you get the smoothest idle, then make sure it starts easy, and doesn't ping.

 

Hey, thanks for the help. Turns out it's actually a charging problem. I'm running a one-wire alt(64amp) that just doesn't seem to be charging the battery. I charged the btry up over a period of two days and now it fires right up. I'm going to try stepping up to a 110 amp one-wire alt to see if that makes any difference.
BTW-that's one AWESOME Camaro in your video!
Thanks!

 

Glad it worked out for ya! I have a 1-wire 110 alternator on my 68, works good..

Thanks for the comments.. does ok for a stock LT1 with a pair of diesel turbos!