I've blown up 4 starters so far trying to fire off my big block could it happen if my cam is a 7 4 swap and my firing order is stock
I've snapped the solenoid off two and just cooked two others I'm only running 10:1 compression and I have shimmed the starters:confused: :confused: :o :(

If you swap the firing order on the cam you must swap the firing order on the ignition cap to match it yes.


Big Dave

how can you tell if it is a 7-4 swap

Remove valve cover on odd bank and rotate crank with coil disconnected and ignition off until the exhaust valve on #1 opens and closes after the intake closes you should be coming up on TDC to fire number one plug. Check the spark plug wiring and rotor position under the cap for proper phase and wirring.

Now watch the #7 cylinder intake close and confirm the spark plug routing to it as it is about to fire after #8. Normal firing order on a Chevrolet is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. If your cam lobes have been swapped the intake on cylinder #7 should be just closing as #1 is at TDC because it has to go through a compression stroke and the cylinders are 90° out of phase on the crank journals. (in other words if it is a normal cam the exhaust should be opening as it is on the exhaust cycle instead of the compression stroke).

Big Dave

The 7-4 swap Cam is supposed to make more power . Just switch your wires and you should be fine. According to the Comp. Cams no additional engine mods. are necessary.Make sure your battery is fully charged also . Weak batteries and big block Chevy's are a bad combo .

well its not 7-4 swap but even with a full battery it seems like the battery is dead (real slow crank) and it hits one point kicks back kinda like a harley and then the starter is dead (thank god I got it from advance auto warranty) should I try advancing or retarding the timing ?

Have you checked your ground wires . Do you have solid connections . Battery to engine,engine to chassis?If the timing is too far advanced the motor will crank really hard . If its a really high compression motor ,you might have to go with a high torque starter.

The starter grounds through the mounting area on the block. Clean off the paint in that area.

It may have to much timing abvance. Have the distributer loose enough to turn it while cranking the motor and slowly retard until the engine cranks smoothly.

1.Be sure you have good connections for the battery cables and be sure you have the engine, not just the frame of the car, grounded to the battery.
2.Read AND FOLLOW directions to properly shim the starter.
3.Check the engine to be sure it is not too tight- I have seen many that had real problems.
4.Check the timing-if in doubt, retard it some.
5.BUY A REAL STARTER!!!!