POP! (goes my engine)

[rusmannx]

so, i just installed some new spark plugs (being that mine are blacker than the inside of a cow), and the old F fires right up. after idleing for a few seconds, i give it a bit of gas and i get a loud pop, and then dies the engine.

now it turns over fine, and gas is getting through the carb, but i don't think i have any
spark.

i'm running with a GM HEI distributor, and am wondering what i could have killed.

any help would be appriciated.

 

[Mace]

Sounds like you got the wires put back on wrong..

 

[brian]

coil maybe(in/on the cap)?

mine died(also an hei) once, and just that quick. never gave any kind of warning. one night, while taking the wife out to eat. flying down the highway, sounded(and felt) like it backfired till i steped in it some more, the motor was off, tryed restarting while still moving right along no go. turned out a wire burned out in the coil, replaced that(after a bunch of other stuff) and she fired right up(a week or two later).

 

[rusmannx]

so if i take the cap off of the dist. then would i be able to see if something is burnt?

 

[snailwagon]

If you do not have a multimeter to test your coil with, the local chain autopart store can do it for free for you. Just bring in your coil to them.

 

[rusmannx]

i do have a multimeter.
what am i looking for?

 

[Pin_Head]

What you mean "Pop", Willis? You mean "pop" a rod is sticking out of my block or "Pop" it backfired through the carb?

Does it start back up? Does it run if you keep pouring gas down it?

 

[ian]

i do have a multimeter..
what am i looking for?

Read my comments on testing your coil in this thread:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=21771

Google will also turn up some useful guides on troubleshooting ignition problems.

 

[rusmannx]

What you mean "Pop", Willis? You mean "pop" a rod is sticking out of my block or "Pop" it backfired through the carb?

Does it start back up? Does it run if you keep pouring gas down it?

no no, nothing like a rod. there is no banging while cranking it over. it simply won't fire.
however, the pop did sound a bit like a backfire though the carb.
i've played with it a little and know that it is getting fuel, it just isn't getting spark.

 

[Ian Rogers]

just i thought pull the air cleaner off our carb. And crank it over, dose air come out in the carb, or is it getting pulled in. I only ask because i was driving down the 99 at about 65 mph and my F went POP. In my case it was the timming gear on the cam had broken. if you are wondering about spark, pull one plug and put the boot on it then hold the base of the plug to the block,grounding the plug, have someone else turn the car over, you should see spark as the engin turns.

 

[rusmannx]

i tried grounding the plug to the valve cover bolt, but didn't see any spark, but i was in a hurry and it was very bright outside. i'll try it again tomorrow night when i can see it easier.

if the timing gear was having problems, would the engine sound normal while being cranked?

 

[Ian Rogers]

yes it would sound fine. maybe even not as loud. But air would come out of the intake. when grounding the plug i would go to some thing like a batt. post.

 

[Jetboy]

first to see if the dist is spinning you should take the cap off and spin the engine, if the rotor spins then you know that the timing "system" is working. not that it is correct but its atleast working. then I would look at the coil. on a gm hei they aren't very expensive. form there if that dosent work look at you cap & rotor. if they are good make sure you have power to the unit. form there I'm not sure where to look.

 

[rusmannx]

thanks for the tip jetboy, i'll try it out tonight.