No start after duraspark conversion

[Dilligaf88]

Ok I did the conversion on my 84 b2 with 2.8l . Ran before with the tfi crap. Now it won't start. I've got spark fuel and compression. Wtf?!? Timing is on the old plugs were gapped at 60-70 instead of the 44 I was told to set them . I don't have a red/lt green wire in a gray connector like it says to use in the right up.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You do have it to keyed power though?

 

[Dilligaf88]

Yes

 

[RonD]

If you "have spark", i.e. repeated spark while cranking, but engine doesn't "fire" then distributor may be 180deg out of time

Firing Order 1-4-2-5-3-6

Crank TDC mark will be at 0deg when #1 AND #5 are at TDC, so 50/50 chance of getting it right using TDC mark to time distributor

Pull up distributor, rotate rotor 180deg then put it back in

And just FYI, once you have Duraspark distributor working look at HEI conversion, GM made a good spark system with that cheap module, $25-$30, much better than the Duraspark module

 

[Dilligaf88]

I put the distributor in in the same position it was. Hmmm I heard about the hey mod.


I did not find the wires talked about in the write up

 

[RonD]

Well if you "have fuel" and "have compression"

And "have spark" then any engine will fire and at least try to start, unless spark is at the wrong time

Is the distributor cap the same. i.e. spark plug wires at the same location as old cap?
If not matching rotor position would be "out of time"

 

[fastpakr]

Do you have a timing light so you can see where it's firing as you crank?

 

[Dilligaf88]

Hmm never thought of putting a timing light on it. I'll try that.

 

[RonD]

Yes, but remember it will show correct spark timing if distributor is 180deg off, #1 and #5 each spark at TDC

 

[fastpakr]

Yes, but remember it will show correct spark timing if distributor is 180deg off, #1 and #5 each spark at TDC

Good point. Easy enough to just spin it by hand with the #1 plug out to verify TDC on compression and see what the rotor's pointing at.

 

[Dilligaf88]

I will check all this out. Check if I'm a tooth or two off

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Stick your finger in the #1 plug hole and rotate the crank clockwise until you feel compression. Put the timing mark on TDC you want the rotor pointing at the 11 oclock position. It may take a couple three times to get it correct to get the oil pump shaft to also line up. Estimate where it will land and try again sometimes you get lucky with the oil pump shaft if not just rotate the crank with light pressure down on the dizzy. Once you get TDC for #1 cyl indexed at 11 oclock you can use the #1 tower on the distributor cap for future reference.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

I finally ironed out the fuel delivery issues on mine. I installed #42 jets with a 8.5hg power valve. I preset the air fuel needles out 3 1/2 turns from lightly seated and am now getting 18-19 mpg with plenty of power. The 2.8 likes the idle circuit rich and it also supplements the intermediate and high speed circuits.

 

[Dilligaf88]

Got her running. Found a wire that supplies 12 volt key on and wires in an hei module instead of the duraspark module. That plus the new carb that came in yesterday she's running

 

[Dilligaf88]

Got her running. Found a wire that supplies 12 volt key on and wires in an hei module instead of the duraspark module. That plus the new carb that came in yesterday she's running