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  1. #1
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    Kurt Esposito
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    Default Engine won't crank over with a single plug in it

    Have a rebuilt 1994 350 LT1 Vin P. I was just supposed to be installing it. When we try to crank it over it will spin free with no plugs in it but if I put a single plug in any cylinder it stops on that cylinder's compression stroke (?).

    I have been told by an engine rebuilder that the timing should be set at cylinder 6 tdc, however the person that rebuilt it believes he set it at cylinder 1 tdc.

    My 2 questions are:

    1) Is it possible a cam being off 180 degrees would cause this
    2) I want to rotate the cam 180 degrees but am unsure if this is an interference engine.

    Thanks in advance

    Kurt

  2. #2
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    Default

    Are you sure it's not a weak battery?

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  4. #3
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    Default

    I am using a known good battery hooked direct to the starter with a battery charger on it at 50 amps to ensure good power. Completely isolated it from the vehicle electrical system.

  5. #4
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    it doesnt matter if the timing is set cylinder 1 or cylinder 6 as long as the opti is installed right. both dots up is cyl 1 tdc, dot to dot (crank at 12 cam at 6) is cyl 6 tdc. its easier to mess up cylinder 1 tdc as it could easily be a tooth off. but i would stop before going that far

    50 cranking amps is not enough, id say starter is weak as hell and or battery and cannot overcome the compression. if the valves were hitting, it would be hitting with no plugs in it too, so its not that
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  6. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by SSlowBoat View Post
    it doesnt matter if the timing is set cylinder 1 or cylinder 6 as long as the opti is installed right. both dots up is cyl 1 tdc, dot to dot (crank at 12 cam at 6) is cyl 6 tdc. its easier to mess up cylinder 1 tdc as it could easily be a tooth off. but i would stop before going that far

    50 cranking amps is not enough, id say starter is weak as hell and or battery and cannot overcome the compression. if the valves were hitting, it would be hitting with no plugs in it too, so its not that
    It's a 50 amp boost on the battery I should say. We have tried two starters, one stock, one hight torque. I suppose a third isn't going to hurt.

    But are you saying that if the cam is off 180 degrees it would not cause this problem?

  7. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by KurtEsposito View Post
    It's a 50 amp boost on the battery I should say. We have tried two starters, one stock, one hight torque. I suppose a third isn't going to hurt.

    But are you saying that if the cam is off 180 degrees it would not cause this problem?
    if the cam was 180 out it shouldn't matter, cylinders are at top of stroke 4 times in cycle. you're splitting hairs. again if cam timing was off it should have hit already plugs out or in

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    2021 Charger Scat 392
    1994 Firebird Formula 381 stroker - Carrying the torch! - 9.90 @ 134.3mph on a 200 shot
    1994 Camaro Vert - SBE LE1 Summit 8802 Cam - The CruiserThe wrench/driver for LTConvert's 94 Z28- Ellwein 383/LE Trickflows/ D1SC / CPT Ultra Pro Race 4L60E/Holley Terminator EFI
    10.78 @ 125mph. Shooting for 9.99 for Frank Cahall!

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