This is in the '65 I just bought. I pulled all but one of the plugs (couldn't get #2 without pullin the A/C compressor) and they looked great. I put new plugs in for good measure tho. Also replaced the wires, dist. cap and rotor. I'm still not getting spark, so I'm putting a new condensor, points, and coil on it tonite. (I have 4 or 5 350/455 coils sitting on the shelf). Is there any possible weak link between the ignition switch and the coil? What voltage should be present at the coil, 12v? I am also getting fuel, but I noticed that if I crank the motor, and have the throttle open at all, I'll get gas shooting out the top of the carb, almost like one of the intake valves is stuck open. Would this be unusual on a car that's been sitting for 20 years? Also, are these valve covers held down by only two bolts? Another curiosity, when I was replacing the plugs, I could see into the cylinders, and the pistons look like they have a small recess in them right where the plug's electrode would be. I'm assuming this is just the way the stock pistons are? Thanks!!!
Well Scott, your doing the correct thing by process of elimination. If you did the plugs, wires, cap, and roter...the obvious thing is the points, condensor and coil. Also, just something for you to check, look at the wire condition going from the coil to the distibuitor, sometimes this wire can get frayed and break with age. If it is the problem, just make a new wire with the correct connectors and correct gage, and your set :TU: . Glad to hear that you getting the old girl back on the road :beer :TU: Larry
Scott, yes , the valve covers are held down only by the 2 bolts each. With the points open, you should have 12 volts on both sides of the coil. I would run a quick compression check. If it's spitting out through the carb, the timing could be off, ignition wires in the wrong spot, it wires different than a 455 or 350. By the way, number 1 cylinder on a 425 is on the passenger side, not driver side. Jim Burek P.A.E. ENTERPRISES
Re: Re: Trying to start my 401 Nailhead Thanks Jim, I'll check the firing order, I put the new spark plug wires on one-by-one so I wouldn't get them out of order, but I'm sure they could have been out of order when I got ahold of it. I also didn't know about the different cyl. numbering, thanks for the insight!
Some people claim that they can get to that pesky #1 plug that lives under the A/C compressor. But my hands are too big, and I can't get the plug wire off without pulling the wire out of the connector. So what works for me is to pull the mounting bracket off the back of the compressor. One nut on a head bolt stud, and a couple of 9/16 bolts on the compressor. It only slows me down for a minute or so, and I'm not destroying the plug wire or breaking the plug porcelain. Jim's right about the plug numbering, 1-3-5-7 on the passenger side, 2-4-6-8 down the driver's side. Number 1 on the cap is the first one cw from the window, window is about 1/8 turn cw from straight ahead, or facing you as you lean over the fender taking off the rear A/C bracket, firing order is 1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3, and is stamped on the top of the stamped steel rocker arm covers. Stock pistons are domed way up, there's good pictures on the GSCA board, Nailhead forum, 470 stroker thread. Actually, lots of good nailhead engine pics in that thread......
start the nailhead Scott, Some tips to remember on the setting up of the firing order. The nailhead's firing order is 12784563 not the 18436572 so many of us are use to. Also, the distributor rotation is clockwise. Hope it starts, let us know:TU: Doug
If you've got gas shooting out the top of the carb when you crank it, you need to rebuild the carb especially if it has been sitting. POINTS POINTS POINTS.....Did you get new points yet?
OK Guys...here's how you get the #1 plug out from under the A/C compressor..Sears sells a stubby 3/8ths extention (about one inch long), work your rachet with that extention from between the compressor and valve cover the with the spark plug socket already mounted on the plug...I have the aluminum valve covers, which are taller than the stamped steel, and I have enough clearance. You'll be surprised at how simply this works...i got so frustrated trying to remove the #1 plug that one afternoon dropped everything, went down to Sears and bought all kinds of specialty tools...crooked box ends, wrenches on a radius etc...this was what worked. You may want to put a little masking tape on the rachet, as you'll be rubbing against the valve cover. Steve
I've never had any trouble getting to the number one spark plug on my 401 with Air con 66 Electra. I think I'm just lucky enough to already have the best tool for it. I just went out and took these pics to show you the tool I use. Hope it helps. Here's a pic of the plug remover I use...
And here it is in place. As you can see there is room to move and the plug comes out with the minimum of fuss. The only thing I would mention is that there isn't much room around the plug and if the plug remover is too 'fat' it will gall inside the whole and get jammed. The danger here is that you think the plug is screwed in but it isn't. Ask me how I know... I had a small misfire and thought I would replace the plugs thinking one had gone bad. The number one was loose in the head and was blue from over heating :eek2: . New set of plugs - ensuring that it was truly screwed all the way in this time - and the misfire disappeared.
THAT I could deal with! The '65 Riviera has a different setup, though...But, Hey! Gotta love the digital age! Steve
Mmmm. I see your dilema. What is that massive round black thing that is right in the way? [excuse my ignorance]
It's a muffler in the high pressure line from the compressor to the condenser. I have one on both the 64 Rivi and the 70 GS. Not sure what kind of noise you would get in a system without one. And nice restoration in that engine compartment! If you've got the dual quads to go with the valve covers, a shot of those would be nice for us to look at:TU: Bill - did you receive your dual quad setup yet? Edit: just looked at your shots again Bill, and I think I see a little bit of a muffler in the lower right of both pics. And now that I think about it, my biggest problem isn't getting access with fancy tools, its getting the plug wire on and off without ruining it. The clearance is tighter on the Rivi, as we can see on that beautiful red 65.
My dual quad setup is Scott's hands in LA and are being prepped for shipping all the way across the galaxy to Australia. Thanks for asking John. I guess the little extra room in the Electra makes all the difference. Speaking of Electras... check this on out - hot off the press. http://www.buickstreet.com/66buickstreet.html
here you go, JohnnyK I've never been one to pass up a chance to be a ham...The riv is actually burgundy mist with a vinyl Roof (Black...only color they came in). The engine looks grimy with the digital camera...Funny thing about them.They show defects that can't be seen with the naked eye. Steve
Steve, you just made my day seeing that! Thanks a bunch! Scott, how's it going? Did you get your car running OK yet? Sorry I got distracted, I thought I saw a dual quad air cleaner snorkel in that first pic Steve put up, and had to ask.
