Car will not start!
 

1979 Camaro 350. Ive been trying to get it started for so long. It used to just keep turning over and backfiring through the carburetor. Today I realized Im not getting spark past the HEI distrbutor. Could the coil be bad or the module? Another thing is the timing mark on the harmonic balancer is about 30 degrees off. The number 1 cylinder reaches TDC at about 30 degrees before according to the tab. What could that mean? Is my cam shot?

my 94 camaro didnt start i put new spark plugs an wires an it started right up it was running rich an flooding out

with the timing mark being off and the backfiring through the carb it's possible the chain jumped. if also if sure there is no spark to the plugs i'm thinking coil but what do i know. i'm just relearning.
Dave

check your distributor. it could be completely backwards. make sure your on compression stroke too if you have to totally adjust your distributor. had the same problem about 6 months back. if you need some instructions then let me know

How did you check to see that your #1 was at TDC?

I smell a repeat of the other 2 threads on this subject...

OK... parts for a SBC are NOT THE SAME!!! There are alot of parts that can go from year to year but there have been quite a few changes to the engine over the years so you need to know what year and what displacment your engine is to get the right parts and the harmonic balancer is one of those parts. 305, 350, 265(new) all have different balancers but they will all fit each other's engine. Make sure you have the correct balancer for your engine. SOme time through the water pump some time on the driver's side with the bolt on marks.

Or your balancer has spun on the hub and it needs to be replaced. Your timing being this far off is prolly why the engine is not starting. As for spark if you are popping through the carb you are getting some spark.

69 could you post the video again here on how to index the distributor please. THis will help him get the engine close enough to start even if the timing marks dont line up.

Massey

I did everything lol. I watched the valves open and close and I even took the plug out and used a gauge to check TDC