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I re-adjusted the valves on my 302 and double checked that the distributor pointed to number one terminal when the balancer/timing mark was pointing to zero and number cylinder piston was at TDC after the intake valve cycled open and closed (had to 180 the distributor). I adjusted the valves by spinning the pushrod with my finger tips then slowly hand turning the adjusting nut until the pushrod would not spin. Then I tightened the nut 3/4 turn and/while holding the nut with a wrench, tighten the allen screw locknut. These are crane gold roller tip rockers mounted on studs, with guideplates and hardened pushrods on Edelbrock heads. anyway, I adusted each cylinder when the piston for that cylinder was at TDC on the firing stroke, determining firing stroke by watching the intake valve. I checked that it was the intake valve by noting its position above the sparkplug, as opposed to the port for the exhaust header. When I tried starting the car, it backfired once or twice, then nothing. I did a compression check on number one and came up with zero again. What could be wrong?
I talked to a local speed shop and suggested that maybe I installed the cam 180 degrees out. They said don't worry about that if I did. Every other rotation of the crank would cause the cam to line up to fire on number one at TDC. The only thing which makes a difference between the firing stroke and the intake stroke is how the valves are adjusted and the installation of the dist. Is this correct?
I am getting desperate here and am considering tearing down the front of the engine to remove the timing cover and start all over again - checking that the crank is at 12 and cam at 6 o clock when number one is at TDC, balancer at zero, and dist. pointing to number 1 terminal.
Am I adjusting the valves wrong? What else should I do?
Meanwhile, I'll work on the interior. Had to send the seat belt retractors back to Ssnake Oyl cause there was no spring tension in the retractors when I got them back from Ssnake oyl. Geeze.
Thanks for the help. Looks like I am not going to be at Knotts.
sure it's fun (most of the time), but it's only a car.
I talked to a local speed shop and suggested that maybe I installed the cam 180 degrees out. They said don't worry about that if I did. Every other rotation of the crank would cause the cam to line up to fire on number one at TDC. The only thing which makes a difference between the firing stroke and the intake stroke is how the valves are adjusted and the installation of the dist. Is this correct?
I am getting desperate here and am considering tearing down the front of the engine to remove the timing cover and start all over again - checking that the crank is at 12 and cam at 6 o clock when number one is at TDC, balancer at zero, and dist. pointing to number 1 terminal.
Am I adjusting the valves wrong? What else should I do?
Meanwhile, I'll work on the interior. Had to send the seat belt retractors back to Ssnake Oyl cause there was no spring tension in the retractors when I got them back from Ssnake oyl. Geeze.
Thanks for the help. Looks like I am not going to be at Knotts.
sure it's fun (most of the time), but it's only a car.