440 won't start with distributer wires in "correct" firing order

[lawsheep]

Hello! I just picked up a 70 challenger RT with a non original 440 in it the other day. It runs but not great, will backfire every now and then. I looked at the distr wires and noticed it was in the right order but the number 1 was on the opposite side of the cap. So I placed it in the correct position and followed the firing order counter clockwise around the cap. I went to start it and nothing.  This is supposedly the correct position per everything Ive found online thru chrysler forums. Is it possible the distributor was put it incorrectly? Thank you for your help.

[burdar]

You need to put the engine at TDC and have a look at the intermediate shaft under the distributor.  The intermediate shaft can be installed in many different positions.  If the shaft is indexed incorrectly, that will throw everything off.  I'd start there.

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/attachments/bigblock-jpg.81849/

[1 Wild R/T]

Not only is it possible, clearly thats whats going on..... So you have a choice... correct the distributor orientation or put the wires back as they were & find the real source of your backfire...

[lawsheep]

Thank you, I'll reset the distributer and try again. I'd like to get it as closely back to the stock firing order as I can.

[69bcuda]

Aftermarket distributors may be oriented differently.

It's what you need for a "stock" setup.......................
http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/distributor-orientation.133253/#post-910706356

[lawsheep]

That's what it was, coupled with a few wires in wrong place. She sounds good now. Another side question, what headers you running? Is there a reasonably priced option that fits well?

[jason340]

I have TTI headers and it seems a lot of folks on the forum use them. Fit well and headers don't belong in the same sentence. LOL

[burdar]

I thing Dougs headers are modeled after the TTIs and are less expensive.  They have a large "Dougs" logo welded to one of the top tubes though.  Looks super ugly.  If that doesn't bother you then that's an option.

[1 Wild R/T]

I thing Dougs headers are modeled after the TTIs and are less expensive.  They have a large "Dougs" logo welded to one of the top tubes though.  Looks super ugly.  If that doesn't bother you then that's an option.

Since Dougs (Est 1960) was making headers long before TTI (Est 1988) thought about it maybe TTI modeled their headers after Dougs.....

[burdar]

Very possible.  I don't know what their design was before TTI came about though.  Were Dougs always above the steering like TTI's?

[HP2]

I think TTI took their design from CPPA who made headers back in the '90s, along with publishing Chrysler Power Magazine.

[dodj]

I have TTI headers and it seems a lot of folks on the forum use them. Fit well and headers don't belong in the same sentence. LOL

LOL
TTI and 'reasonably priced' don't belong in the same sentence either. 

[Chryco Psycho]

Since Dougs (Est 1960) was making headers long before TTI (Est 1988) thought about it maybe TTI modeled their headers after Dougs.....

Actually it is about the same  ,
 Davis headers date back to the early 60s as well &  , Sam Davis was building headers decades before starting & incorperating TTI & built a lot of custom headers for SS & AFX cars  , they only became an official  company later