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Will not start after installing new Edelbrock carburetor

Tiny
FORENSICS
  • MEMBER
  • 1978 BUICK REGAL
  • 5.0L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
Hello there to all who read,

I just installed an Edelbrock performer intake and an Edelbrock carburetor with electric choke all brand new equipment. It has fuel when I hit the throttle it squirts fuel but when I go to start it I'll get a little bit of combustion and then it just stops completely and only cranks. I know I have spark and fuel so I have no idea why it wouldn't start, but if I let it sit for an hour or two it will repeat the same process it tries to start and then gives up and just cranks. I haven't adjusted the idles screws at all and they're both half a turn to the left.

Thanks for any replies.
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Wednesday, February 12th, 2020 AT 6:27 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
JOETECHPRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 705 POSTS
Hey FORENSICS,

Just to rule out the obvious, is this a new setup you installed?

Did it come with instructions for installation and tuning?

Have you checked that the electric choke is operating, ie is the choke closed when starting from cold?

Regards, Joe
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Wednesday, February 12th, 2020 AT 6:30 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,574 POSTS
Have you tried squirting some fuel into it right after it starts to only crank over? It almost sounds like you are losing spark. Was this engine running okay on it's old carburetor and intake?
What model carburetor is it you installed? What is the timing set at? Got a timing light that you can use to see if you have spark all the time. Do you still have the original distributor installed?
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Wednesday, February 12th, 2020 AT 8:22 PM
Tiny
FORENSICS
  • MEMBER
  • 106 POSTS
The choke is closed when starting cold and I have a new distributor installed and the intake and carburetor came brand new.

Here is the link:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-2021?seid=srese1&gclid=CjwKCAiA4Y7yBRB8EiwADV1haTXb5Ym7JTFa_RX4zQkEhcI-qb4x5BAEcQ9x1zpekSm6c5CVK9pfExoC-aIQAvD_BwE

Everything I bought is installed except those little plate things. Also I believe I'm getting continuous spark because all the plugs were firing when I pulled then out and checked.
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Wednesday, February 12th, 2020 AT 9:47 PM
Tiny
JOETECHPRO
  • MECHANIC
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Hey FORENSICS,

I have attached the specs for adjusting the ignition timing.

How did you set the ignition timing when installing the distributor?

Did you install the distributor before the carburetor and has it run with the new distributor installed?

Regards, Joe
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Wednesday, February 12th, 2020 AT 10:16 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,574 POSTS
This is a small block Chevrolet 305? Any other modifications? Cam or other items. Have you tried shooting some fuel in it while cranking? What is your base timing set at? You say you can let it set and it will do the same thing again. That is making me wonder if something is heating up and causing a problem. How do you have the distributor and coil wired? Perhaps for testing run the power direct from the battery to the coil. You would need to disconnect it to shut off the engine but it may eliminate something in the ignition wiring from causing a problem.
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Wednesday, February 12th, 2020 AT 10:25 PM
Tiny
FORENSICS
  • MEMBER
  • 106 POSTS
Okay, I believe I see what I messed up on. This is the firing order I looked up on Google and this is the way I hooked up the wires. I'm guessing I did it wrong?
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Wednesday, February 12th, 2020 AT 11:05 PM
Tiny
FORENSICS
  • MEMBER
  • 106 POSTS
The old distributor when I brought it to TDC the rotor was facing towards the front of the engine bay and I made several mark's for the new distributor insertion and it went in just like how the old one came out.
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Wednesday, February 12th, 2020 AT 11:14 PM
Tiny
FORENSICS
  • MEMBER
  • 106 POSTS
Crisis averted! It was the wires I hooked all of them up wrong but when I fixed it she fired right up and went straight to idle with no misfires thankfully.

Thank you for all the help.
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Thursday, February 13th, 2020 AT 3:13 AM
Tiny
JOETECHPRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 705 POSTS
He FORENSICS,

Nice work! Glad you found the cause of the problem.

We are here to help, don't hesitate if you have any further questions.

Thanks you for using 2CarPros.

Regards, Joe
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Thursday, February 13th, 2020 AT 7:54 AM

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