Changed point now will not start

[Don S]

Re: Changed point now will not start

The manual shows where #1 wire should be pointed if someone puts the thing together correctly. Who ever put the distributor in, didn't put it in the proper location or it would be right. But, just because some dummy put it in the wrong place doesn't mean it won't work where it's at, it just means you have to start putting the plug wires in a different location.
Look at my reply #14.

One other note, just realized you have a 4.3. Look at the distributor cam, are some of the lobes rounded and some pointy?

 

[witenite0560]

Re: Changed point now will not start

The manual is most likely correct. Someone, sometime, has most likely lifted the distributor and rotated it a tooth or two from where it should be, presuming #6 is to the left or right of #1 on the distributor cap. Depends on which direction your distributor shaft rotates. If #6 is directly opposite #1, the distibutor has been turned 180 degrees from correct.

 

[acuraguy81]

Re: Changed point now will not start

Yup it all makes sence to me know. Should I put the distributor back to the proprer location? or just time it where it is?

 

[Don S]

Re: Changed point now will not start

To answer rather you should reset the distributor, I will ask this one more time.

One other note, just realized you have a 4.3. Look at the distributor cam, are some of the lobes rounded and some pointy?

 

[acuraguy81]

Re: Changed point now will not start

I will have to look at it when i get home. what does this indicate?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Changed point now will not start

A 90 degree V6 engine is inherently out of balance whereas a 60 degree is not. There are various techniques used to compensate for this imbalance which is due to the fact that there is not enough time in a 360 degree engine cycle to get all of the intake, compression, power and exhaust stuff done so things need to be speeded up or slowed down to try and make the engine run smooth. Crankshaft rod journals can have an included angle on the adjacent journals to accomplish this in addition to balance shafts and altered cylinder timing. Hence the different cam lobe profiles.

 

[Don S]

Re: Changed point now will not start

Mercruiser used the different cam lobes in the distributor to help smooth the engine out, and I don't know if OMC used it or not, but if they did and you have it wrong, it could run even rougher than normal.

 

[acuraguy81]

Re: Changed point now will not start

from what i remember they all look the same not like the illistration you liseted

 

[ericcarr2000]

Re: Changed point now will not start

I don't think we want this owner pulling the valve cover to check anything. On some SBC engines that can be a real PITA, with the exhaust manifolds in the way. If he starts to follow the advice he's been given and uses a dwell meter, remote starter, and timing light as directed, he should get the ignition system set up properly. Like the rest of you, i really don't understand his comment about the manual being incorrect in the firing order, unless he was loking at the wrong engine in the manual (definitely possible). Firing order, dwell, and timing are fairly straight forward on points/condensor engines. Good luck, acuraguy, and let us know how it all works out. Hy

This isnt a SBC, besides, ive done this on SBC, BBC, SBF, BBF, etc...Ive never had a problem doing it. With it being a 4.3, he shouldnt have a problem completing this. Alls I was doing was giving him some advice as to what he could try. Nothing wrong with that now there is there?. Thats what were here for...

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Changed point now will not start

Mercruiser used the different cam lobes in the distributor to help smooth the engine out, and I don't know if OMC used it or not, but if they did and you have it wrong, it could run even rougher than normal.

Yes, Merc, OMC and VP all used that same distributor with the 108/132 degree lobes in the 3.8 229 V6. Whereas all 4.3 distributor lobes have 6 even sides.
Yet, only Mercruiser mentions the difference in the manual.
Installing and finding #1 TDC is bizarre on a 229. no sweat on a 4.3