Carb trouble and initial timing...

[Raze]

I'm having trouble getting my Spider to fire after being down for 6 months for a HG repair, Allison Automotive radiator, and interior restoration. I'm trying to get it to fire and having trouble. Weber 32/36 DFEV

First, I've checked all wires, plugs, and dizzy and I'm getting good spark.

Second, I compression tested all cylinders and I'm getting #1:110psi, #2:120psi, #3:120psi, #4:105psi and the look good.

Third, I retimed the cams to right on the pointers, I reset the crank to the 0 deg BTDC (big has mark on the timing cover), and the aux gear around 34 deg off vertical, I have reconfirmed I haven't jumped any teeth after multiple starting attempts.

Fourth, I set the dizzy to be pointing at #4 cylinder and double checked cam lobes for #4 pointing up and in toward center-line of engine (full closed).

Finally I set to work on the fuel, it was old but I topped it off with fresh, no dice. It won't even try to kick over if I attempt to set the electric choke, and I confirmed this by removing the air filter, it doesn't look like the butterflies move and they're barely cracked open all the time. I then started playing with the throttle linkage and there's alot of 'dead' zone where the butterflies won't move, and then they do at the top of the range. And then they're maybe 1/2 way open. I know very little about carbs, as they're before my time, and I've gone over the Weber manual but I'm not seeing a means to really correct the amount of open/close I'm seeing. If I floor it (1/2 open) it tries to fire, but it requires me to keep the starter running to hear it trying to kick, that's why I'm thinking fuel, but it could just as well be i'm off time...

[FordPrefect]

Sounds similar to what I'm working through. I changed my timing belt, new points/dizzy cap/plugs/wires basic scheduled tune-up, and it refuses to start. Compression seems ok, spent forever double and triple checking the timing of the dizzy and cams.

Still no dice. Driving me nuts.

[124JOE]

replace the condencer on the dizzy

[So Cal Mark]

it sounds like your ignition timing is retarded

[Raze]

it sounds like your ignition timing is retarded

HEY NOW MARK! no need to call my ignition timing names ...(just kidding)

I was thinking the same thing, I read in both Artigue's ignition timing instructions, and the Haynes manual to get everything lined up, and then somehow add timing to 5° of timing by hand for the 1608, I assume this means I need to rotate the dizzy, but do I go 'clockwise' or 'counter-clockwise'?

[124JOE]

sorry this is WRONG i was guessing

i think its clockwise for addvance
and counterCW for RETARD

[digitech]

Turning the distributor body counter-clockwise will advance the timing.

[Raze]

You guys were right on, timing, turned the dizzy back left and it fired right up, now I just have to adjust the carb, thanks guys!