My 427 SOHC Build..... Finally the time has come!

[cobracammer]

Hey All,  Another quick question.  The FAST EFI set up hand held asks a few questions before you can start driving.  One is cubic inches (482 ci in / 7.9 Ltr. in this case) and the other is what RPM you want the engine to idle at.  Any suggestions given my cam?  I was thinking 1100? but am just going off of a Dyno test I saw on youtube for "Tom Fry's cammer engine".  It looks like the screen says 1100 RPM at idle? 

[jayb]

With EFI you should be able to idle lower than that.  I'd say 1000 RPM would be a good starting point, and maybe go a little lower after you have the engine dialed in.

[cobracammer]

Awesome!  Thanks Jay

[My427stang]

I agree, my non-cammer 489 used to idle at 1150 or so with a carb, any lower it was unhappy.  With SEFI I let it idle at 900 warm and it loves it, I likely could even go lower if I wanted, but I like to have the oil being thrown around with solids.

[cobracammer]

OK lets get right to it.  I added a secondary ground strap from the drivers side head to the frame of the car.  This was just for backup, because I dont want to fry that clutch line again.

I NEED MORE HELP!  Today was the big day!  I got in the car, I turned the key to the ACC position so that the FAST EFI hand held came on.  I selected the setup wizard.  The first question was cubic inch?  I put 483.  The second question is idle RPM? I put 1000.  the 3rd question was let the throttle be at where it would at idle( which is not touching it)....  I did so and then it said press continue.  The the last question was hold the throttle wide open.  I did this (and then when the computer was done, it said hit continue.....

Then it says start the car and let it warm up.......  HERE WE GO.  I tried starting the engine, but there is nothing.  It sounds no different than it did when I was just testing the starter with the coil wire off.

I checked, and the MSD box has power.....  I checked the fuel pressure, and its ded set on 43 PSI (as per the FAST instructions)...  so what did I do wrong, and better yet, how do I get it running?  To me it sounds like no spark?  So I had someone try turning the car over, and I turned the distributor a few degrees to the left....  Didnt work.  So then back to where it was.....  then a few degrees to the right.  No Luck.  It is getting gas because you could smell it after a while.

This is where I am.  Anyone have any ideas?  I would love to get it running and post a video!  Please help with any ideas

[ScotiaFE]

Timing light hooked on?
Should be flashing when you turn it over.
Well as long as someone is holding on.

[Dave427SOHC]

The starter does crank motor right? Is there fuel PSI? Make sure there is fuel pumping.  Pull a plug wire make sure the plug is sparking i only cruised through your last reply quick sorry if this is already covered. I gotta run BBL

[machoneman]

Timing light hooked on?
Should be flashing when you turn it over.
Well as long as someone is holding on.

Yep, no timing light flash = no spark.

[drdano]

I like to zip tie my trigger down on my timing light.  A remote starter bypass trigger is also nice to jump the solenoid under the hood.  Sounds like no spark to me.

[cobracammer]

No spark from coil. Got a new coil, still no spark. Msd 6a box led is on, so box should be working but no spark from ignition coil?

On the way out of the garage, I tried turning it over one more time......  Because I had the light off (to see if I could see a spark from the coil, I noticed this....

The MSD box has an LED light.  As the instructions say, the light comes on when you turn the key to the on position.   HOWEVER, when I started cranking the engine over, the LED shut off!!!

SO, what is interesting is this...... 

I read online that there was a fuse panel on the passenger side kick panel in the Saleen.  There were 3 unused fuse locations, of which 2 of them were "Switched power".....  What it looks like is they are switched power, but lose paower during the cranking.....  And sadly I have the MSD box, the FAST EFI computer, and the fuel pumps all hooked to this fuse!!!

That means everything looks fine (as the instructions say) when you put the key in the "on" position....  The fuel pumps are humming, the MSD ignition box LED light comes on, and the FAST EFI computer is on (with no communication errors), but as soon as I start cranking the engine, the MSD ignition box light shuts off, the fuel pumps shut off, and the FAST EFI computer pops up with a communication error!!!

Where can I find an 12v switched ignition source that stays on through cranking and engine running?  All problems will most likely be solved if I could find this!  LOL

[cobracammer]

OK guys....  a lot of google searching and we are back on track.

I found the correct 12V switched power source that not only turns on when the ignition is turned on, but through cranking and engine running.  I cranked the engine over with the coil wire pulled off, and a spark plug "shoved" in there.  One of the happiest moments of my life seeing that gigantic blue spark arcing across there.

Now.... I didnt start the car, but now I know it will start!  Tomorrow is the big day.  I know the distributor is going to have to be adjusted while its running, but I think I will have the custom shop guy come over with a timing light and time this thing.

just want it to idle on its own.....  we can fine tune it shortly after  :0)

[rockittsled]

Well, Im up at 330 in the morning.  Please have a video cam running when you hit the key....PRETTY PLEASE!?!

[My427stang]

Well, Im up at 330 in the morning.  Please have a video cam running when you hit the key....PRETTY PLEASE!?!

I agree, waiting for the growl here too!

[cobracammer]

Picked up a timing light.... What should initial timing be set at to get it running?  Fired it up but it only runs for 2 seconds before it dies?

13 deg before tdc???

[blykins]

Set it at about 30 degrees before you start it.  It will want some advance.