Hi all. Got a 1970 SS 396, 450bhp. Low mileage on fully rebuilt engine.

I tried starting it and it seemed the battery was almost dead. The engine wouldn’t crack. I kept turning the ignition and pumped hard on the fuel a coupe of times. It seemed the engine cranked a bit and o saw white faint smoke coming out of the valve covers / under the air filter. The car didn’t start anyway. I turned it off.

Really worried if it is the gasket or something serious.

hope it was only rich fuel (from the extra pumping).

please advise.

 

Sounds like you flooded it. Holley carb? Double pumper?

 

Thanks ... yes it is a Holley perf carb.

I think the coolant is clean and so is the oil dipstick. So hopefully the gasket is not fried :-).

Hopefully I had just flooded it with fuel.

 

As suggested by Y2K, probably flooded it and along with this, a low battery charge not being able to crank engine over fast enough for creating a vacuum for drawing in fuel/air to start.
When parked for long periods, a battery tender/charger should be connected and turned ON , or you'll lose a battery later.

 

Thanks for all the support and suggestions guys. Highly appreciated.

It was the battery I guess. Replaced it and it worked fine for two days.

Now ended up having starter issues I guess (have opened a separate post on it and receiving great help from all you guys at the forum - thanks).