RE: IML: Please help me start my 440!

["Dick Benjamin" <dickb@xxxxxxxxx>]

1.  Remove #1 spark plug, and install a compression test gauge.  
2.  Crank the engine until you just begin to see pressure building up.
3.  Remove the distributor cap and see what plug wire the rotor is pointed
at.  If it is pointed at #1, your distributor is in correctly.  If it is
pointed at #6, your distributor is 180 degrees out of time.  

These are 4 stroke engines.  This means the crank goes around twice for each
time the cam rotates - thus you have a 50/50 chance of getting the
distributor in backwards, unless you checked for this when assembling the
engine.

Dick Benjamin



-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
commenace@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2005 11:31 AM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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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