First attempt to start this rebuild....cranking to build up oil pressure, and a brief flame shoots out the carb. There was no backfire. Double checked and, yes, coil to cap wire is disconnected, at coil. A minute later I started cranking again, and after maybe 15 seconds, there's fire down in area where pushrods drop to lifters. Fire was wispy and I could blow it out with my breath. Is it possible static electricity built up on block, due to prolonged cranking and not sufficient grounding? There's a new head-to-firewall strap, but battery negative cable was not tight when I hastily pulled it off .....other ideas?
This rebuild has taken years and now I'm freaking. Plz send technical or moral support. thanks

I have never heard of static electricity starting a fire on a cranking engine. Are you using starting fluid, which is super flammable? The coil could be arcing to the block and creating a spark near the coil. Try disconnecting one of the coil wires and you should have no spark anywhere.

Weird one...

Best of luck,

Lou

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