[Spridgets] starting a rebuilt 1275

[BJNoSHOV8]

I'm coming in late to this thread because I've been out of town.

When you "static time" an engine, you normally set the engine to top 
dead center on #1 and this is normally done using the indicators on the 
harmonic balancer.  But not just any normal top dead center, it needs to 
be on the compression stroke.  When rebuilding an engine you can do this 
easily because you can see that both valves are closed.  On any other 
random engine you need to rotate the engine and make sure it is on its 
compression stroke then fine tune it to top dead center.  Otherwise as 
mentioned you might be at top dead center but you might be on the 
compression stroke or on the exhaust stroke.  If you have done this and 
you are sure that the distributor is in place with respect to the firing 
stroke on #1, it is still possible that you have some spark plug wires 
crossed on other cylinders.


>> Trying to start a rebuilt 1275 cc motor.It turns over.New electronic
>> fuel pump is working as fuel filter and float bowls are getting gas.Car
>> has been static timed.Both carbs backfiring and the exhaust is
>> backfiring.Is there a systematic approach to diagnose this problem?
>
> You have a 50/50 chance at getting the distributor drive in correct 
> but 99% of the time it goes in 180 out.
> To check it, switch the plug wires, the firing order is now 4 2 1 3.