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 not that simple when the engine is in the car. I get it to seat. The Nailhead distro seats just inside the block. Before it gets there it makes contact with the cam gear, which is what allows the blade to turn enough to connect to the oil pump shaft. From + to ->
     
  2. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    Have we ruled out a bad/ slipped timing chain?
     
  3. LARRY70GS

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

    How do you think that's working out for the OP?:)
     
    GSX 554 likes this.
  4. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    No but, I will be able to once I get the socket on the Harmonic balancer bolt.
     
  5. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    Only thing I'm missing is the compression test. The day 1 hypothesis was crank too slow for ignition. And as of right now what's left is faulty distro, Timing Chain, Compression, slow crank or E All of the above. I have not blown off any advice, I have just been confident that I already have done certain things. So in the spirit of bowing to people with more experience, I have done things twice. The bad distro makes more and more sense as I get deeper into the woods. The timing chain is one of my least favorite repairs on cars, due to the awkwardness of the location on the block. So that will be last and done by a professional.
     
  6. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    You pulled the heads and intake then reassembled . Timing chain R&R aint no harder or complicated.
     
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  7. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    I know it's not Thermo Dynamics it's just a personal thing.
     
  8. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    I deal with Thermo Dynamics everyday. Thats not really that hard either after ya get the hang of it.
     
  9. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    That
    What are the odds. lol
     
  10. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    I don't think the HEI is the issue. Spark looks fine when being spun with the drill. My phone died before I could get the video of the Stock distro. I wasn't able to get spark from stock distro. It got dark before I could troubleshoot.

    Here is a the Video (Only 0:44):

     
  11. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    Arnold,
    You should LISTEN to what you are hearing from the MUCH more experienced people here. The spark from you HEI is insufficient. The fact that the test light flashes means nothing. throw that out.
    Get the points style distributor setup and running.
    Good luck!
     
  12. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    It's out. The stock unit is in.
     
  13. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    So that test was a waste of time?
     
  14. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    Pretty much. When you showed the cap and jumper wire, it was clear the spark was too weak. The test light you are using, was triggered anyhow. Also there is no need for the drill. you can just pull the properly wired distributor and turn it with your hand, and you should be able to see nice bright sparks jumping.
     
    Briz likes this.
  15. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    Probably going to buy another HEI. I can't get the Points Distro to work.
     
  16. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    Don't buy anything. Take a deep breath and troubleshoot the Points setup, it's dead simple.
     
    wkillgs likes this.
  17. ArnoldsMind

    ArnoldsMind Well-Known Member

    R Starter Wire and ignition to + side. Distro unit ground and Engine ground to - Side. Nada.
     
  18. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

  19. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    Throwing money at the issue is not going to fix it.
     
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  20. 66electrafied

    66electrafied Just tossing in my nickel's worth

    I've been following this thread with a curious sense of wonder for a while, and I'd have to say I would have yanked that motor and stripped it completely down and started from scratch quite a while back. There comes a time when trying to flog junk is just counterproductive and frustrating, it's better to just overhaul the whole works and then know it was done right.
    As for power issues to the coil from the start switch, check the body to cowl plug at the firewall. They were made out of crappy material in 1966 and tend to wobble loose. The first thing you lose is your ignition. I just troubleshot an ignition issue for 2 hours on my car only to realize that plug was loose. Plugged it back in, and bingo, it worked fine.
     
    6769RIV and PGSS like this.

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