1966 Riviera GS Crank No start. Suggestions needed.

Discussion in 'Classic Buicks' started by ArnoldsMind, Aug 24, 2020.

  1. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    Purchased a 66 Riviera GS (425 Nailhead) a month ago. The car had been ataat body shop. Car had not been started for 3 years. I haven't been able to get is started. Not sure if anyone has had similar experiences with The Early Rivieras. Looking for guidance.

    So far:

    HEI. verified spark
    Had Starter Rebuilt
    Changed plugs n wires
    Changed Ground cable
    Changed battery Starter wire to junction box
    Firing order is right
    Top Dead marked and rotor turned
    Engine Not Siezed
    Left Seafoam Engine Treatment in plug holes overnight.

    Video of car being turned over:

     

    Attached Files:

  2. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    Have you tried jumper cables or have you moved the distributor in a way that increased the initial timing setting?
     
  3. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    I use a shot of ether (starting fluid) to see if it wants to fire. If it does, the problem is likely the carb. Are you getting a good squirt from the acc pump?
     
  4. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    Yes, I have tried to jump it. Not sure if the starter is just not spinning it fat enough, because Im not getting that zoom sound when you turn the key and the car doesnt start up. Its my 1st big block so I dont have a point of reference.
     
  5. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    I have put gas through the carb. Would the starter fluid yield a different result. I rigged up a Holley electric pump while I have been trouble shooting. Im getting no sign of life when I turn the Key. Im going to double check the spark the next time I get time to work on it.
     
  6. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    I have found that starting fluid always works if you spray and quickly crank the engine. Make sure you spray past the choke. I've had so so luck with just gas.
     
  7. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    It is worth a try. I have started to look into High Torque starters
     
  8. BuickV8Mike

    BuickV8Mike SD Buick Fan

    Could the timing be 180* out?
     
    Prairie Piston likes this.
  9. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    I have it rotated to TDC timing mark and have the rotor pointed at the #1 cylinder.
     
  10. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    Did you look up the location of #1 on a 425?
     
  11. BuickV8Mike

    BuickV8Mike SD Buick Fan

    If it works like a 455 the distributor rotates twice for each crank rotation. I would pull the disrtibutor and replace at 180* or exactly pointing the other way.

    This being the same as turning the crank one full rotation and lining up with #1 again.
     
    Prairie Piston likes this.
  12. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    The piston is at TDC twice, once on compression, once on exhaust. The spark has to occur on compression. If you simply line up the marks, Murphy's Law says you will be on exhaust. The easiest way to verify compression is to remove the #1 plug. Put your thumb over the hole and have someone bump, NOT spin the starter a little at a time. When the piston comes up on compression, the air will push your thumb off the hole. At that point, the balancer mark should be coming around under the water pump. Continue bumping the starter, or turn the crank with a socket and breaker bar clock wise until the mark aligns with the timing tab. Then pull the cap off and look at the rotor. If it is 180* out, the rotor will be pointing at #6 instead of #1, and you put the distributor in on the exhaust stroke. Remove the distributor and point it at #1. It will never start 180* out.
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2020
    66electrafied likes this.
  13. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    Yes, I have
     

    Attached Files:

  14. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    Do you mean just flipping the rotor, or turning the whole HEI unit. That would face the Vacuum advance towards the drivers seat.
     
  15. BuickV8Mike

    BuickV8Mike SD Buick Fan

    Just the rotor but it only goes on one way, so the whole distributor up and out. Rotate the rotor only and back in.
     
  16. GSX 554

    GSX 554 Gold Level Contributor

    WOW just watched your video with the plugs out . What the hell is all that fluid coming out of the spark plug holes ???? GAS ??? IF it is there's your problem . When you put the plugs back in and that much gas is getting into the cylinders its almost hydro static locking . That's why its turning over so slow . And the plugs must be soaking wet .
     
    Dano likes this.
  17. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    You can't flip the rotor, it only goes on one way. You can hold the distributor for proper orientation and still adjust the rotor position by putting it in on a different tooth, but the distributor has to come out first.

    I suggest you first follow my instructions in post #12. That will show you whether you are 180* out or not, then go from there.
     
    BuickV8Mike likes this.
  18. BuickV8Mike

    BuickV8Mike SD Buick Fan

    I've watched the video now. WOW. I think that may need to be resolved first.
     
  19. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member


    I believe he poured Seafoam directly into the cylinders.
     
  20. GSX 554

    GSX 554 Gold Level Contributor

    Is it Gas ?? Maybe the float is stuck OPEN and flooding the engine. Very likely on something that has been sitting for years .
     

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