Hey all,

yesterday I almost completed the installation of my 400 sbc, the only thing missing now is the wire from the fusebox to the HEI (switched from points to HEI). So today might be the big day to fire it up. I'm doing this the first time so please give me some tips on what not to forget or what I should put an eye on.
Let me tell you how I set initial timing and correct me if i did something wrong. I turned the engine to 10 BTDC and dropped in the distributor. Then I marked the number 1 post position on the distributor base and removed the cap. Then i turned the base so number one position was right under the finger and tightened the distributor clamp. Correct?
Ok, what else? Of course i did the obvious things like putting oil in, loading the battery, etc...
Btw, the old wire which went to the coil, do i have to connect it to the new wire from the fuse box?

Thanks all, quick answers are appreciated since i want to start working on it in a few hours smile.gif

Let me take this opportunity to say it again, this is IMHO by far the best forum on earth. Only friendly and very helpful people. graemlins/thumbsup.gif I'm driving an Alfa Romeo as daily driver and the peple in the forums are unpolite, envious, stupid, etc... graemlins/sad.gif

To alle the TC members: graemlins/beers.gif

Olli

Olli I will speak to the HEI wire. I removed the bolt that holds the engine harness to the dash harness and used needle nose pliers to remove the old resistor wire and then put the HEI wire back in it's place. That worked great and if I want change the wires back I can.

Anybody else, pleaaase?

What about the start procedure itself? how much gas shall i pour into the plenum?

Maybe a cup of fuel into the carb bowl.

In the base of the distributor you should be able to see 2 metal rings with 8 teeth each. Line the teeth up with the engine at 10 degrees to get the timing close. Make sure you're at 10 degrees on the #1 compression stroke since the marks will also line up when #6 is on it's compression stroke.

Go over the engine and check all the hose clamps and all the accessory bolts. I found a fan bolt loose and if it had backed right out it would have wrecked the rad.

Peter