Am I the first idiot to do this?

[squidmarks]

After a total engine rebuild, transmission rebuild, complete rotisserie body rebuild I was ready on Saturday to turn the key. Rebuilt suspension and brakes were on, wheels on the ground and engine and transmission were installed. Filled it up with fluids and after taking care of a couple little leaks it was time to fire it up. Nothing happened when I turned the key. Right...a couple fuses need to be in. Put in the fuses and turned the key, saw the oil pressure rise but no firing. I spent the entire day Saturday checking the ignition, then most of Sunday checking the fuel system then late Sunday afternoon I finally got it to sputter when I put the accelerator to the floor. But, it backfired so hard that it blew the pop-off valve right out of the airbox. I'm glad I had installed that valve, or I would have had an exploded airbox. That backfire made me re-check the ignition. I finally checked the firing order by reviewing Waynes book I used to rebuild the engine. Yes, I had them wired exactly like it shows in the picture....but then I read the fine print in the caption below the picture that said:

"Swap plugs 6 and 5 along, with plugs 3 and 2 for the SC and Turbo configuration"

It was one of those moments where you're so happy you finally figured out the problem, you're not angry with yourself for screwing it up initially. I switched the plug wires on the distributor and she fired up smooth on the first turn of the key. It was late Sunday night and not the appropriate time to do the 20min high-rev break-in (neighbors would not have appreciated it), so I shut it down after a minute.

Am I the only idiot that's done this?

Geoff

[moneymanager]

Apparently. But I've lots dumber things than that!

[Rot 911]

I can top that. I forgot to reinstall the ring gear when I did my rebuild. Didn't discover it until I tried to start the engine and the starter just spun!

[Talewinds]

Ehh, I did that 2 weeks ago to my wife's old Altima, but I was hardly paying attention whilst doing the work because the car's hardly worth anything.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by Kurt V

I can top that. I forgot to reinstall the ring gear when I did my rebuild. Didn't discover it until I tried to start the engine and the starter just spun!

That's a classic... (I've done this as well...lol)

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

It took me forever to get the wiring right on my new 12-plug dual-ignition distributor when I rebuilt the gold-plated Porsche, and I think I probably even had the engine running backward at one point. Don't feel bad.

[Dantilla]

I'm sure glad I've never done anything stupid.

[Porsche_monkey]

Originally Posted by squidmarks

Am I the only idiot that's done this?Geoff

No. Just the first one to confess in public.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

I'm sure glad I've never done anything stupid.

Really?... haha

[uwanna]

Back in the early seventies, I built a very highly modified 2.5L motor. I aquired a Vertex racing magneto from a friend, and thought it would be a cool addition. After building this pristine motor from the ground up and installing, I was ready to fire it up. It would not start, just back fired and sputtered. Turns out when I installed the Vertex with the plug wires I had fabricated, I hooked them up, attaching No1 from the Vertex to No1 cylinder, No2 from the magneto to cylinderNo2, and so on!! DUH!!! After getting them rehooked up in the correct firing order, I felt like anything but a mechanic, more like a f#@king idiot!
But when all was correct, the car was a rocket.
Grant

[Nine9six]

Originally Posted by Kurt V

I can top that. I forgot to reinstall the ring gear when I did my rebuild. Didn't discover it until I tried to start the engine and the starter just spun!

Ouch! That had to hurt

[mtnfir]

I drilled a hole in my kegerator for an extra keg and managed to hit on of the coolant lines. wifey was pissed

[Wayne 962]

Right-o. I've done that before, hence I put it in the book!

-Wayne

[304065]

One of these days I'm going to get a tattoo that says 162534

[rajah911]

Originally Posted by Kurt V

I can top that. I forgot to reinstall the ring gear when I did my rebuild. Didn't discover it until I tried to start the engine and the starter just spun!

Kurt - sorry mate, but that is absolutely PRICELESS!!!

One of the very rare times that I have literally "laughed out loud" at something that one of my fellow 'drongo's' has done in a moment of madness (trust me, I've had many a few myself!!).

It's lovely to see that people on this wonderful forum are humble enough to admit such mistakes to all and sundry, and you all have my utmost respect for doing so

regards,
Steve

[JP911]

Originally Posted by squidmarks

Am I the only idiot that's done this?

Nope, I did it. The previous owner of my '76, which still had the 2.7, decided that SC engine decals would look lovely in the engine compartment. I followed these decals when replacing the cap, rotor, and ignition wires. Same result as you, including the dislodged popoff. Took me a few days to retrace my error. Needless to say, the SC decal with the dizzy rotation and order was promptly removed.

[equality72521]

Originally Posted by john_cramer

One of these days I'm going to get a tattoo that says 162534

Mine is 162435, a sequence I will never forget in my life. Ironically, it's the numbering sequence for connecting a three phase motor winding. After spending 15 years winding motors you don't forget it. Now, years after my motor winding days it is still coming in handy.

[sailchef]

Been there, done that, following the Bently's manual. It didn't say anything about SC's dizzy turning the opposite direction.

[CBRacerX]

Done that one better by combining it with improper installation of the distributor. It ran, barely...

[RichMink76]

I did the same thing on my 78 3.0. I did just what the book said, almost. It is one of the best feelings when that motor starts for the first time after the long build process.

Rich