84 chapparal not running

[racerman16]

i upgraded my merc 120 distr system to the mallory electronic system.I'm getting spark but when i crank the engine it will fire for a small second( it will go bum bum bum and then quit) as soon as i hit the switch again it will do this over and over. I've tried to reset the distr and timing but cant get it running to get a light on it. The carb was just rebuilt. It's a brand new engine and hasn't been ran yet....HELP!!!!! It's cranking fast enough to build oil pressure( I dont know if that's fast enough or not?) Thanks for any help!!!!!

 

[Don S]

Re: 84 chapparal not running

Two things come to mind when it's a new engine and won't start. It all comes down to 1 thing really.
You MUST have the engine on #1 TDC on the COMPRESSION STROKE when you start adjusting valves and when you set the distributor. Otherwise, you are out on both.

NOTE:
When an engine is put together and you line up the timing marks on the cam and crank, the engine is NOT #1 TDC on the Compression stroke.

 

[racerman16]

Re: 84 chapparal not running

Thanks. Got it. It ended up being a bad resistance wire.. Fired right up..