Thread: 350 small block not firing properly

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Hello,

Im new to this board, Any info is a great help.

I have a 1980 trams am with a 350 small block.
2 years ago we put a new timing gear set on and all new gaskets, but left the car alone. it has sat in a garage for 2 years. and now it wont run. we drained all the gas we could and put in fresh gas and new spark plugs.

the motor turns over and it tries to start but will not go. it has spark and fuel is going to the carb, the exhuast is not hooked up to the headers and as we crank it over it shoots flames out the heads ..... dont know if thats good or not. we checked and re checked the order for the plugs and distributor but the motor will not run. what could be a possible cause of this????

Sounds like your timing is still off,,,are you sure about the timing chain alignment?
Also you said it gets gas to the carb,,,but how about from the carb to the intake?
I would also check all my vaccume hoses and such,,it's been sitting for two years and any seal you may have had on the gaskets may have dried out by now. giving you big vaccume leaks.
And with the pipes disconnected,,,the back pressure or lack of it may give you problems if anything else is off just a bit.

Is it back firing when trying to start?...If not....Put some fuel in a dishsoap bottle and give it a small shot down the carb and crank it....carb may be dried and crusty..

If it is....check the timing with a light while cranking....

Did it run or did you start it after putting the new chain&gears in?

thanks for the posts,

We did not start it after we put the chain and gears on. does that matter??

gas is getting to the intake, we have 2 carbs for the motor and niether of them did anything different when tring to start the motor.
i have not checked for the vacuum leaks yet.