1966 Riviera GS Crank No start. Suggestions needed.

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

  1. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    Have read through the post and several times the OP says the rotor is pointing at the #1 cylinder. The rotor needs to be pointing at the plug tower on the dist cap that goes to the #1 cylinder. Maybe it is maybe its not. Also Im in agreement with the plugs being totally fouled. having spark at the coil is mentioned but does it have spark at the plugs? A compression test is in order as well as a check to see if the timing chain is still lined up correctly. To many variables and not enough exp of the owner. Wish I was closer.
     
  2. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    Plugs are new. Have never been wet. Car has never fired with the new plugs. So I'm not sure if that helps your assessment. I have confirmed spark from the plugs. Lol @ check the timing chain, like that's a simple task. The #1 plug post and the #1 cylinder are in the same general direction, not far enough apart to prevent a start.
     
  3. LARRY70GS

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

    You can get a general idea of timing chain slack by turning the crank one way, and then the other and watch the distributor rotor. That motor is not cranking like a free spinning engine. That's what makes me think it is bound up. If you pull the plugs out and just turn it with a breaker bar and socket, you'll get a general idea of what the starter is dealing with.
     
  4. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    Ok. I'll do it on Thursday or Saturday. If it doesn't turn freely is there a diagnosis?
     
  5. LARRY70GS

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

    Cylinder walls are rusty, rings broke, bearings are shot, a general sad state of engine affairs.:)
     
  6. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    Lol. Thank you.
     
  7. 322bnh

    322bnh Well-Known Member

    Have you ever seen it run? Maybe you are discovering why it was parked.
     
  8. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    No, I bought it like this.
     
  9. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    The bolt turned when I put the breaker bar on the crank, I ddnt want to tighten it any further and risk breaking the bolt.

    Here's what I got:

     
  10. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    That's ATF shooting out. I left in for 12 hours.
     
  11. LARRY70GS

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

    That bolt is meant to be torqued to AT LEAST 200 ft. lbs. There is NO WAY for you to break it. If it took that much effort to turn the crank with the plugs out, you have major problems. That is pitiful cranking speed with a fresh battery and starter with no compression.
     
    GSX 554 likes this.
  12. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    It's possible that that it wasn't torqued to specs. I ddnt have my torque wrench to check. I didn't want to risk breaking a bolt that could be 54 years old. It turned fine with the mini starter. The ATF was worth the 1 hour of clean up, if it starts Saturday it's worth the trouble with the cylinders dry.
     
  13. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    ATF is a great degreaser. We used it to clean out grease lines on submarines which could be 20 feet long. Be sure and put in fresh oil before you try to start it.
     
  14. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    I think you are missing the point? The rotor only goes on the shaft one way, but the gear can lock into the engine at any angle. So pulling the distributer up allows the distributer shaft to move freely to 180, or any other angle for that matter.
     
  15. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    It has been turned the correct way. I understood the suggestion and sent pictures when I changed it back.
     
  16. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    Here is the Post
     
  17. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    Got it.
     
  18. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    So.....?
     
  19. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    Sorry , I don't think I was replying to you?

    Anyhow, it really appears to be bound up. The cranking speed with a new good starter an a new good battery isn't right. Does seem frustrating though, as you can see that it has some compression (I would test that) and if everything is else is righteous it should at least TRY to come to life?

    I think Larry's theory about timing chain slack is good, Or possibly even the chain was removed and put on wrong by someone.

    You should tighten the crap out of the harmonic balancer bolt and turn the engine by hand.
     
  20. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member


    Thank You for the suggestions. Saturday, I will be draining the chemical soup I have dumped down the oil filler and cylinder to this point. Someone on Instagram suggested that I put Diesel Fuel through the Oil filler and turn the engine with the spark plugs out. Havent heard that before. But Im pretty deep into this, and willing to try anything short of blow torches.
     

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