Hello,

Trying to start a 69 Deville 472 that has been sitting for about 3 years. I have replaced points & condenser, wires and spark plugs. Getting a nice hot spark, but I can even get this thing to sputter even with starting fluid (ether). The compression is good and I removed both valve covers to check for sticking valves. Motor was pre-lubed with a small amount of marvel mystery oil. Cant figure this one out, it should start -- at the least sputter. Maybe its the cold weather (around 10 - 20 degrees)? Can the motor be flooded even with the spark plugs dry? Is point gap critical to get the engine to start???

My friend removed all of the wires from the distributor in a moment of frustration.. We can't locate #1 on the distributor so I was hoping someone could provide a diagram, or picture or describe its location in relation to the access plate. Also need the correct firing order.

Thanks,
Matthew Wallace

The #1 can actually be any where you'd like it to be.....as long as you follow the firing order after #1. Here's a post that might help you out a little.

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7834&highlight=500+firing+order

Gap in the points is very critical. You must set the dwell through a window on the side of the distributor using a dwell meter and an allen wrench. I believe the dwell should be set at 30 degrees.

I'll dig up the firing order, If i can find it. You have to get this right, or you'll never get it to start.

I'll dig up the firing order, If i can find it. You have to get this right, or you'll never get it to start.
It's in the link I posted above.............1-5-6-3-4-2-7-8.
It should be cast into the stock intake manifold (assuming you still have it).
Passenger-side (right side) front cylinder is number one too.

lux_hauler is absolutely right. If you've still got the stock intake manifold on there, the firing order is stamped on the rear of the manifold, and each cylinder number is on their respective runner.

Thanks for the info. I need to know where #1 is on the distributor cap. Pictures or a diagram would be appreciated. With the #1 piston at TDC on the compression stroke should the rotor on the distributor be pointing right at #1, before or after it??? I tried all 3 ways and still cant get the ****er to start... the only thing I can think of is possible carbon buildup blocking the intake, ever heard of that?

How can I set set the dwell angle without the motor starting??

Thanks for the info. I need to know where #1 is on the distributor cap. Pictures or a diagram would be appreciated. With the #1 piston at TDC on the compression stroke should the rotor on the distributor be pointing right at #1, before or after it??? I tried all 3 ways and still cant get the ****er to start... the only thing I can think of is possible carbon buildup blocking the intake, ever heard of that?
Make sure that you don't have the distributor 180* off. Are you sure that the number 1 cylinder is at TDC on the compression stroke? Are you sure you know what cylinder is #1?
Number one on the distributor doesn't matter....all that matters is that you have the #1 cylinder at TDC on the compression stroke....where ever the rotor is pointing at that point is what has to be used as #1.

I use the tower immediately above the distributor window as my reference point. Number one cylinder for the 472 is front left as you face the motor. Follow the firing order clockwise on your distributopr cap. No one seemed to answer this for you earlier so I hope this helps or you already got it running

How can I set set the dwell angle without the motor starting??

You can rough it in with a feeler gauge. I'll try to look up the spec for you, but if your getting a nice hot spark, your probably in the ballpark.

I use the tower immediately above the distributor window as my reference point. Number one cylinder for the 472 is front left as you face the motor. Follow the firing order clockwise on your distributopr cap. No one seemed to answer this for you earlier so I hope this helps or you already got it running
I answered it........#1 can be anywhere. it doesnt matter where it starts, as long as the firing order is followed after #1.
It's really easy.....stick the distributor in. put the cap on and see which post the rotor is pointing at......that is number 1.......run that plug wire to the number one cylinder... the next plug wire will go to cylinder #5, the next to the #6, then 3 then 4 and so on.

You can rough it in with a feeler gauge. I'll try to look up the spec for you, but if your getting a nice hot spark, your probably in the ballpark.
:yeah: Bump the motor until the cam lobe lines up with the points arm, adjust the gap using a feeler gage. (don't know the correct gap but that should be easy to find out) The other thing is timing, you can roughly check the timing by turning the engine to TDC and rotating the distributor so that the points are open at #1 position. Check before you adjust anything, they may already be close enough. This should get the engine ready to fire. Check the carb for fuel. Make sure it's primed and ready to go. Hopefully your fuel pump is in good condition. Once you get it started, adjust the dwell first, check/adjust the timing next with vacuum advance disconnected and plugged, then re-connect vacuum advance and adjust your idle.

Kev

I answered it........#1 can be anywhere. it doesnt matter where it starts, as long as the firing order is followed after #1.
It's really easy.....stick the distributor in. put the cap on and see which post the rotor is pointing at......that is number 1.......run that plug wire to the number one cylinder... the next plug wire will go to cylinder #5, the next to the #6, then 3 then 4 and so on.
For convenience you may want to be sure that the window for adjusting the dwell ends up in an accessible position. As Lux said, the engine won't care where #1 is as long as it matches TDC but, you may cuss yourself if you aren't able to get an allen wrench in to adjust dwell.

Kev

Which is exactly why I set number one above the window

Which is exactly why I set number one above the window
:yeah: :tongue2: :yup: :thumbsup:

Kev

How can I set set the dwell angle without the motor starting??

The two commonly used methods are:
With a Dwell Meter connected, and all spark plugs removed, Crank the engine using the starter (a second person's job or remote starter button), and using the proper "screw-driver looking" tool with a hex tip, adjust the points gap one way or the other until a Dwell of exactly 30 degrees is achieved.
Method #2 involves a "Feeler Gauge", the removal of the Distributor Cap & Rotor then simply adjust the Points Gap to about 0.016". This will be "close enough" to get it running, if all else it correct..
On a side note.. You said the engine has been sitting for several years.. If that's the case, and no "Gas Stabilizer" was added to the fuel tank BEFORE it was parked, it could very well be that the MTBE's have turned to a thick tar-like goo (thank you EPA!!) that is clogging every orifice in the carb, not to mention the fuel lines, etc. This crap CANNOT be washed off with solvent, gasoline, Berryman's Carb Cleaner, etc. Everything MUST be removed, disassembled, etc. to clean.. And good luck finding something that can remove the "goo"..
Charles.

I had a similar problem on a newer car. The distributor was 180 Deg out of location. I just left everything where it was and unscrewed/unclamped the cap and rotated it 180 degrees with all spark plug wires attached and it fired right up. The problem was that the engine had cylinder Number 1 at Top Dead Center (TDC) on the exhaust stroke. The engine needed jogged until the piston rotated one more time to be con the compression stroke.:thumbsup: