RE: IML: Please help me start my 440!

[Marty Macdonald <martym@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

	one thing you may want to check.  If the valves are a bit off on
adjustment, it can keep them open longer than they should and this can cause
the engine not to start.  A compression check would help with that, and make
sure you have equal compression in all cylinders.  A leak down test will
really show if you have one or more valves open or not closing all the way.
Just a thought or something to check.


Marty
62 Crown 4 door HT Southampton
68 Dodge Dart GT

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Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2005 11:31 AM
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Subject: IML: Please help me start my 440!


I just dropped a freshly rebuilt 440 and trans, as well as a newly rebuilt
gear box, et al, in my 1965 Imperial Le Baron. ?(I know 413 is proper, but I
wanted a little more, so please no comments on my choice of engine.) 

On Saturday, we buttoned everything up and tried sparking her up. ?Nothing.
?The engine cranks, rather slowly, but never starts. ?Went out and got a new
battery, engine cranked a little faster, but still no start. ?Timing is spot
on. ?No. 1 has compression when it's supposed to, sparkplugs are firing,
fuel pump is giving us gas.

What's going on?

A few things concern me: first, the engine seems to crank slower than I
remember, and second it feels as if the timing is off or the plugs aren't
getting power, or if they are, it seems the spark is a little weak. ?I
bought a new battery and starter, but as yet have not ?installed the new
starter. ?The timing has been checked more times than I can remember! ?It is
right, I'm sure of it!  Is it possible that the spark is too weak?  How can
that be rectified?

The battery cables seemed a bit thin, about 6 or 8 gauge.  I will be buying
some fat cables this week and trying that on Saturday.  What about ground
strapping the block?  Anyone try that?  Does it make a difference?

My new engine was made in '72. ?I believe the heads the heads are from mid
seventies. ?However, the plugs are the same type I was using on my '65 413.
?Is it possible that these plugs are too shallow, not getting close enough
to the air/fuel mixture? ?Does that make any sense? ?Does anyone have any
idea as to why it turns slighltly slower than before? ?Is the torque
converter (also new and installed correctly) not allowing the engine to turn
freely? ?Also, it should be noted that the compression ratio is only about a
point higher, around 9.7.

Any ideas, ladies and ?gentlemen?

Please help me, I've been without my baby for too long!
Thanx.
John.

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