AboutBrad Sears Expertise All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.
Experience Automotive tech instructor.
Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's.
Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's
TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated.
Auto instructor for the following companies:
Fram
Autolyte
Holly
Carter
AMF
Ford Motor
University Of Conn
Blue Hills Technical School
Sugar River Technical Center
Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.
Publications Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.
Education/Credentials More than I care to remember.
Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.
Awards and Honors Moto Award winner. And much more.
Question QUESTION: I have a rebuilt 1969 350 engine with holley 600cfm, HEI inginition. I put new spark plugs and wires, new dist cap and rotor. I prestart adjusted the valves by loosening all rockers and tightening until rods catch and then another 1/2 turn. I did a mild rebuild on the carburetor. I checked for spark i have spark. I put the engine at TDC and lined up the distributor to the #1 plug. I opened up the choke all the way. When I turn the engine over it fires but doesnt start. I checked the firing order of the plug wires 3 times. What can I try next?
ANSWER: When you adjusted the valves did you make sure that each cylinder was at top dead center in the firing stroke? The valves need to be in the closed position when adjusting them. let me know.
Brad
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Yes I made sure that each push rod was on the flat part of the cam lobe.
thanks
Dave
Answer OK, did you pre oil the lifters before adjusting them? If not it is possable that you have the valves too tight. When I do this operation I usualy set the valves so that I take the play out of the push rods and then BACK the adjustment off a turn. Then start the engine and let the lifters pump up. Then re adjust the valve. See if that works if it does not let me know.
Brad
