350 won't start after dist change, only backfires through carburetor

Question

This is a crate 350 done up a little. We have replaced the HEI distributor with a new one. We have put #1 to TDC and the rotor points to about 10 o'clock. Still won't start. Moved the dist. one tooth clockwise and still won't start. In both cases, the #1 wire on the cap seems to be close to where the rotor should be at TDC. Need some help. I must be missing something!

Answer 1

The dist. is in at 180 dig. try removing the dis. turn motor over one complete turn and set at TDC reinstall dis. or you could swap wires over 4 points on the dist. try this and enjoy .

Answer 2

Sounds like your dist is out 180 degrees. If #1 is at tdc, your rotor should also point to #1 cylinder, or 4 o`clock. Pull the plug on #1 and put your finger over the hole , bump it over until you feel compression. Then use your timing marks and set it to TDC. Then set your dist as I said before. Rotor pointing towards #1 cylinder

Answer 3

When #1 is at TDC it could be on the compression stroke or the exhaust stroke. The only way I know how to tell is that the rotor button points towards about 10 o'clock when it is 180 out or like in your case, backfires and usually won't start at all. Pull the distributor back out and move it so the rotor button is exactly on the opposite side. It should point towards your #1 piston. There should also be a mark across your harmonic balancer and some teeth to line it up with. Make sure you are lined up correctly there and the rotor button is 180 out. Setting timing has taken me several tries before in the past. Cheaper than a mechanic though ; ) Good Luck.  .  .  

Answer 4

just for the heck of it reset TDC 180 degrees.