engine kicks back and turns over backwards

[reven327]

Is there any one that could give me any ideas? Sometimes when i am starting my 355ci small block Chevy carbureted it kicks back and the engine will rotate backwards a few revolutions. Compression is around 10-6 to 1. Solid roller cam ,MSD 6AL. Already killed one starter,however it was only rated for 10 to 1 compression. And also sometimes while running it will pop really really loud out the exhaust. any help will be greatly appreciated! THX

[cuisinartvette]

Whats your initial and total timing set at?
Too much and that starter wont wanna stay in one piece.

MSD makes a timing retard setup.

Either that or mod your ign switch to turning the key only spins the starter usea switch to get the ign going. Kind of like a race car.

[reven327]

Gona check the timing today, wht should it be?

[MaxFlow]

What fuel?

[reven327]

Maxflow, good question i am runnning 92 octane. Do u think tht has somthing to do with it?

[swatson454]

I had an iron-headed 383 on the dyno years ago that would run backwards during plug cuts. I never did figure it out but the aluminum-headed next iteration didn't do it.

[JoePorting]

You probably have too much advance in the timing. Set total timing at 32 degrees to start. Hopefully that'll fix it.

The popping could be the messed up timing, or could also be other ignition issues or valve train issues. Check them all out.

[reven327]

If the distubutor was off a tooth could tht be the problem. I am not sure because when i timed it with a light ,i am getting a reading of 12 initial and 35 total. When i retard it , it will crank over perfect and not kick back ,however it wont start . It trys to but wont fire up!

[stilhead]

Advanced Engine Tech ??????????

[MotionMachine]

Advanced Engine Tech ??????????

Hey, it's got advanced timing, ain't dat close enuff?

[reven327]

No shit, it has advanced timing!! The problem is, when i retard the timing enough ,so tht it wont kick back ,it will not start . It is now too retarted ,kinda like u. Getting the same answer , need a solution!

[SWR]

You guys just have to give me time to move it to the correct location..

[xenginebuilder]

Is there any one that could give me any ideas? Sometimes when i am starting my 355ci small block Chevy carbureted it kicks back and the engine will rotate backwards a few revolutions. Compression is around 10-6 to 1. Solid roller cam ,MSD 6AL. Already killed one starter,however it was only rated for 10 to 1 compression. And also sometimes while running it will pop really really loud out the exhaust. any help will be greatly appreciated! THX

If you know what you set your initial advance is with a timing light, stop the engine and rotate the engine by hand (plugs out is best) to line up on the timing mark that it is supposed to be (15 deg for example) and pop the distributor cap and see if the rotor is pointed at the terminal in the cap. If the rotor is pointing between posts or not within a few degrees of a post, the distributor is out of phase and the spark is jumping (sometimes) to the wrong cylinder. This is a common problem with magnetic pickup distributors and MSD's. Usually can be fixed by switching the wires on the distributor and re-timing the engine.
By the way, I don't care what "rating" your starter is, if the engine fires backwards with the starter gear engaged it will break something.

[kirkwoodken]

Wires in cap right? 5 and 7 crossed? As said, do not assume that rotor clocking is perfect. Get an old distributor cap and drill/grind a hole in the top near the #1 contact. Connect a timing light and see if the rotor and cap contacts are in alignment when the light fires. Also, did you touch the cap or rotor with ungloved fingers while you were installing them. Never touch ignition parts without wearing rubber or nitrile gloves. Finger prints contain salt and oil. Salt atracts water, which conducts high voltage. Oil collects dust, which conducts high voltage. CD ign. is especially prone to finding any path of least resistance, and that can be a finger print. If in doubt, try cleaning the cap and rotor with brake cleaner. Wear nitrile gloves while doing it outside.
Keep in mind, the longer the stroke, the more kick back will hurt the starter.

[Belgian1979]

Your dizzy is not set 180° wrong is it ?

All other comments about to much timing are valid.