I HAVE A1966 OLDS CUTLASS WITH 330 V8 AND WAS TUNING IT,I replaced plugs,plug wires,points,rotor,cap,fuel filter,air filter,somehow got wiring mixed up.Timing was not messed with but after finding top dead center for #1 it still did not start.It has spark,fuel,compression and still will not start.Does anyone have any idea how to proceed?

 

Firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2, and be sure you have the rotation direction of the distributor correct - it rotates counterclockwise, which is opposite of the Chevy. Also, are you sure #1 is at TDC on the compression stroke?

 

Welcome to CO. Hope you get your engine running.

 

Thanks so much for the reply guys but I have done that and We are charging the battery up because it acted like it wanted to start.I am crossing my fingers when it is charged,thanks again.

 

Here's one way to set the timing. Remove the #1 spark plug (left front) and have someone rotate the engine BY HAND (ratchet and a socket) until it comes up on the compression stroke for that cylinder. The timing for a 66 330ci is 7 1/2 degrees before top dead center. Continue rotating the engine by hand until you get to 7 1/2 degrees. At this point take the distributor cap off and make sure the rotor is pointing to that #1 spark plug wire terminal. If not move the wire to the terminal being pointed at and proceed counterclockwise with the sequence Joe P. gave you. Put the cap back on. Once that is set put the spark plug back into the plug wire and ground the spark plug body against something metal on the engine. Has to be a good contact, lying it on something won't work. Just a good ground so that you can see the plug gap. Now turn the ignition key to 'ON' (not start). Loosen the distributor hold down bolt and rotate the distributor in either direction until you see a spark jump the gap. No need to rotate it a lot you'll be close at this point, small movements. Once you see the spark jump the gap tighten the distributor bolt down and timing is set. Don't forget to turn off the ignition so you don't burn up the points. Better yet start the car and recheck the dwell with a meter. Simple once you've done it a dozen times. Remember changing the dwell changes the timing so if it was off your timing will be off the same amount.

 

thanks trip dueces,I will try what you said.I also have a 66 convertible,ble with white interior.

 

That method certainly works, but I'm basically lazy and there's a much easier way. You can use a timing light while you crank the engine - it doesn't need to be running. Just be sure that you've got no. 1 on the compression stroke. If you're using the finger-in-the-spark-plug-hole method, you will sometimes feel a little compression on the exhaust stroke also, so you need to be sensitive to that and be sure you're on the stroke with much higher compression. I actually use the wad-of-paper-towel-in-the-spark-plug-hole method. If you're rotating the engine by hand with a breaker bar on the crank, the wad of paper towel will launch over the fender on the compression stroke.