1981 Chevy Camaro car wont start

CRIMSONKNIGHT89

MEMBER
1981 CHEVROLET CAMARO
V8
2WD
MANUAL
250,000 MILES

The engine will turn over and try to start. The carb will shoot smoke out and the cylinders will smoke and make popping noises. Sometimes the cylinders will fire but the engine wont fully catch and run. The smoke coming form the carb is intermittened. I think its the ignition timing but i'm not sure how to set the ignition timing while the car is not running. I just cant figure it out.

Sunday, March 30th, 2008 AT 1:03 AM

1 Reply

MIKE H R

MECHANIC
3,094 POSTS

With it popping it is the timing. Take number one plug out. Disconnect the coil and remove distributor cap. With a compression guage turn the engine over until it is on the compression stroke. Note where the distributor is pointing when you have compression. Check the cap and to see where the distributor would be fireing in relation to where number one is. Check to see where the timing mark lines up. This will give you the basic timing. If you miss the compression stroke the engine will have be turned over 2 more times before it comes up again you have 1 compression stroke, 2 exhaust stroke 3 intake stroke then compression stroke again. It might take a few tries but you will get it.

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Sunday, March 30th, 2008 AT 9:49 AM