1966 Riviera GS Crank No start. Suggestions needed.

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

  1. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    It's being jumped the whole time, 4 weekends of cranking killed it. I ran the cables directly to the constant battery post on the starter. It turned a little better, but not a normal spin. I have been trying watching Vice Grip Garage to try to get ideas. He gave up on the car that he couldn't get to spin free. Lol
     
  2. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    The High Torque Starter got here yesterday. If that doesnt work. I will break it down and take our advice.
     
  3. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    Still no luck. The spark got weaker. Testing the coil on the holiday. It's been too hot in LA to work past 12.
     
  4. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    ALL, he working on a "NailHead" NOT a 455 or other Buick engine. The firing order was correctly placed in an above post. 1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3. Number 1 plug is on the right side. The half way point for TDC #1 is cylinder #4, NOT 6 . When #1 is on compression #4 will be on overlap. Both intake & exhaust valves at about the same even height. When this is done properly & the wires are in the correct position (clockwise) the engine should start to show some signs of life even IF it cranks kinda slow. Try advancing the timing by turning the distributor counter clockwise in 1/4" adjustments. In other words turn the distributor vacuum advance closer to the rear if the intake manifold.
    At this point the plugs may be so fouled with fuel & SeaFoam it will NEVER start. Get new plugs next.

    Tom T.
     
    322bnh and 6769RIV like this.
  5. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    I'm getting a weak spark from the HEI coil. That's my next thing to check. The high torque starter gives the engine a righteous spin.
     
  6. LARRY70GS

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

    Are you supplying the HEI with full battery voltage? Have you eliminated the points resistance wire? GM cars that ran points had a resistance wire from the ignition switch to the firewall, UNDER the dash. It cut the battery voltage down to maximize point life. If you have the HEI connected to the stock wiring, the voltage to the HEI will be too low. Try running a wire directly to the HEI from the battery positive terminal.
     
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2020
    BuickV8Mike likes this.
  7. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    I tried it. Both ways, to the stock wire, and directly to the battery jumper post. Here is what it is looking like. Let me know what my next move should be.

     
  8. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    It turned over with the key so I never tried to turn it with the breaker bar. I put a mix of Seafoam and PB Blaster in the spark plugs holes to try to get it to turn faster. Not spinning free. I really don't want to pull the heads, so I'm trying Everything else, before I cross that bridge.

    Here is the video:

     
  9. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    ...And no compression test.
     
  10. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    sounds like a low/bad battery or the starter. It's #6 cylinder. Once started the lifters should fill with oil & the valves will open more.
     
  11. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    Its being jumped the whole time, and still won't start. That's the issue it won't turn fast enough. It's a New High Torque starter. I swapped all the positive and negative wires. We will see if I can get lifters to loosen up.
     
  12. LARRY70GS

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

    You need to take all the spark plugs out and then try and turn it with a breaker bar. See how the starter cranks it without spark plugs. A fresh battery and mini starter should have no problem cranking the engine over. Judging by the appearance of that engine, it needs a total rebuild. You are beating a dead horse IMHO.
     
    GSX 554 likes this.
  13. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    A bad battery even being jumped & with a battery charger attached will show the symptoms you are having.
     
    GSX 554 likes this.
  14. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    Did you see the 1st video, with the regular stater?

     
  15. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    It was a new battery in the 1st video. And is being jumped in every test in the second video, you can hear my truck running in the background. I have jumped the cables directly to the starter as well. Same result. And I have never seen a battery so dead it couldn't be jumped enough to start a car.
     
  16. 322bnh

    322bnh Well-Known Member

    New battery cables.
     
  17. GSX 554

    GSX 554 Gold Level Contributor

    Or perhaps the connections are crap . Or maybe the cylinder walls are complete rust . Best to follow Larry's advise and pull the plugs and turn by Breaker bar and see how much resistance there is .
     
  18. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    Cables were changed, and the starter has been jumped directly to the Hot +Post. I also ran a cable from the battery to the starter, rather than from the junction box as it was when I got it.
     
  19. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    Its worth a try.
     
  20. LARRY70GS

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

    I think so. The engine may be bound up.
     

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