Engine start help

[1949mercury]

Trying to start my 49 Flathead. Just hooked up this starter solenoid with this remote switch I made. Wondering why it's not working? Does the solenoid need grounded? Got the solenoid from Vintage Auto Garage it has this red wire for a one wire switch location or a two wire switch location. Motor was dynoed two yrs ago but can't get it to fire now. Got spark got fuel 12v coil & battery.

[petehoovie]

[QUOTE=1949mercury;1442860] "Does the solenoid need grounded?"

Yes....The metal housing/case of the solenoid needs to be grounded....

[1949mercury]

Ok thanks I will try that. I will run a wire from the solenoid housing to the neg side of the battery. Then try and find TDC.

[1949mercury]

Been reading on the web trying to find TDC. If cylinder #1 intake valve is open. Assuming this is the one on the left looking in the spark plug hole. Where should the rotor be facing? At spark plug #1? Witch is about 7 o'clock? Thanks

[lodaddyo]

Both valves will be closed on tdc #1 piston
Also the 8ba has a bump on the crank pulley. Line that up with your timing pointer and you should be close

[1949mercury]

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Ok, thank you, I will look at that.

[chap52]

Remove #1plug, use a finger to plug hole, crank engine when you feel the "puff" of air stop and check where that pointer and bump on the flywheel are. You should see that they are very close. Align them, that's TDC.
If you just go by the "bump/pointer" position it is possible to be 180 degrees out from TDC. The puff (compression stroke) method helps to get it right.
Many of us have found that out the hard way.
Enjoy the adventure.

[1949mercury]

Ok got ground wire hooked up and switch works thanks.
Cranked it over got the puff with finger over hole and pointer/bump are close. Rotor is at 11 spark plug #1 is at about 7. Should I move wires so plug #1 is at 11 ?

[flatjack9]

#1 is on the right side, next to the distributor.

[1949mercury]

Yeah I'm wondering if I should move the wires on the cap so #1 is at 11 o'clock same as rotor?

[JSeery]

What flatjack said! Are you sure you know the firing order and the location numbering for a Ford? The wiring has to match the firing order, when the engine is at TDC for #1 that plug wire has to be where the rotor is pointing in the distributor. When cylinder #2 is TDC then that plug wire has to be where the rotor is pointing, and so on.

[JSeery]

Has anything been changed on the engine since the last time it was running? If not, it is hard to understand how the ignition wiring got mixed up. Are you sure you are checking things correctly?

[1949mercury]

Yeah my wires are wrong I will go switch them thanks

[Fredb_]

Your motor looks nice. Always a thrill when they first fire up, good luck!

[1949mercury]

I painted it and broke the cap. Took distributor out to paint. Tried switching wires but #8 doesn't reach so I think I need to pull the distributor and turn rotor 180

[JSeery]

A Bubba write up:

Rotate the engine until engine is positioned on TDC Compression stroke , number one cylinder. This can be a little tricky but pull the number one spark plug and bump starter until compression is felt on thumb when placed on # one spark plug hole. Watch the timing marks on front cover ( hopefully you have cleaned and found this mark , bb, or pointer.)watch this marks location when compression is felt on thumb and finsih turning engine over by hand untill the mark on the pulley is lined up with timing cover pointer. Once compression is felt and marks are lined up the engine should be on TDC ( top dead center compression stroke). ( or very close )

Now install distributor in timing cover ( with distributor cap removed) and allow the unit to seat in cover . Feel the gears mesh by moving the distributor rotor. Distributor housing should allow aluminum mounting plate to be centered with hold down stud. Verify the gear mesh and observe the clearance on mounting plate.
Next observe the rotor position to cap terminal position. ( note here is that number one can be in any of the eight terminals on the cap based on how you installed it) If you are using existing secondary wires you may wish to place number one in a special location based on plug wire length.
While thinking that the distributor will rotate clockwise you may turn the housing to position the rotor tip just slightly before the number one position on the distributor cap. ( turning the housing will move the cap to align with the rotor tip)

OK now we have the distributor installed, timed with number one location (that we chose), clamped down and the number one spark plug wire in the correct location..........(sound good??????)

Now place the other spark plug wires in correct location using the firing order of 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2.

Use Mac Van Pelts pics if needed....http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/F...946to53all.jpg

Start the engine and use a timing light to final adjust housing position to pointer marks.... write up:

[chap52]

JSeery Bubba post says it all. Great info!

[1949mercury]

Oh yeah she's a runner. Thanks guys

[lodaddyo]

Glad you got it worked out!

[1949mercury]

Thanks, appreciate the help. Distributor was 180 off.