smitty05gt

Hello I have a 1984 d100 dodge 4wd truck. This truck was pass down to my wife after her dad pass 10 years ago and trying to get the truck running been sitting in storage over the years. And long story short motor was swap out the old motor blew a piston. And somebody was suppose to take care of replacing the motor and never did. I got the truck with have a half engine and parts filled the back of the truck. I been piecing everything back together and instead putting all the smog stuff on I left it off. The motor that's i just put in was out of a 1979 dodge ramcharger 318 with 59000 miles for 400 bucks complete. With a holly 4 barrel. My question from the pics do I have the hei setup correct? I have a video of whats going on if that would help. But what the trucks doing is backfiring through the njcarb nice huge flames when trying to crank over. I thinking timing off and need help on how to get it strighten out and running. I appreciate any input and help. Any other info please.I will upload pics here shortly

440roadrunner

Hard to tell without photos, "what" is the HEI? Is this a "do it yourself ignition? Flames through the carb are nearly always timing off. You must understand that having the timing marks up is NOT "no1 ready to fire."

1--the timing marks could be off, IE a slipped balancer

2--Not really on your build, but if you got the early timing cover/ balancer switched, the marks will be nowhere near correct

3--No1 fires every OTHER crank revolution, so even if the timing marks are correct, you have a 50-50 chance of getting the dist. in correctly

Every time the timing mark comes up, it fires no1, no6, 1, 6, 1, 6............... So you must determine the stroke.

There are ONLY TWO ways of doing this

1--If the valve covers are off, and with the timing marks near TDC, look to see if no1 or no6 valves are both CLOSED. That cylinder is the one to fire.

2--But the EASY way is to remove the no1 plug, stick your finger in the hole, and bump the engine around, by jumpering across the two large exposed terminals on the starter relay. You may have to go 'round a couple of times to get the "feel," but AS SOON as compression blows your finger out of the hole, look for the mark which should be coming up directly.

Now gently bump or wrench the engine up to NOT TDC, but rather WHERE you want initial timing. Id set it about 10-12 BTC or so.

Now Look at where the rotor is pointing. If it is pointing to the no6 wire, either pull the dist. and rotate the shaft 1/2 turn, or else just plug the no1 wire in that hole, and run the other wires around in proper order from no1. 18436572 clockwise. Make SURE that

A--with the engine on compression for no1, and timing marks at 10-12 BTC

B--With rotor "just coming to" the tower for no1 wire

C--With vacuum advance in a position where you have some "movement" room

D--and last, that the reluctor tip is aligned with the center of the pickup core in the distributor.

IF YOU do this correctly, the engine should fire just like it had been parked overnight.

smitty05gt

Thank you for you replay back I posted picture. and I have a youtube video. Its 1979 dodge 318 engine wont start to hear and see what it does.

smitty05gt

This is the youtube link if this will help anybody.

Coronet 500

That sounds 180' out. Your firing order and rotation looks correct from what I can see.

Verify TDC compression stroke as suggested.

smitty05gt

Finally had time today to follow your steps you guys said. I did the second steps and like you said and it fire right up. Still need to do a little adjusting. But thank you guys so much for your time.
Thank you!!!!