Big Block wont start after install.....

[thumper]

I am back to working on the monte carlo and tried to start it today with no luck. It sounds like there is no compression.
Bought used engine good compression
Changed cam, intake manifold, and valve springs
Installed high torque starter for high compression, I have a low compression 454 (At first thought maybe starter spins to fast because I didnt hear any compression or air pump sound)

Things I noticed
First dist 180 degrees out, fixed
I get compression on the number 1 cylinder a little before TDC and seems to be gone at TDC
Re-Adjusted lifters (hydraulic)

I am thinking that I got the cam marks off (several keyways on gear, installed almost a year ago)


Is there an easy way to check the marks without tearing the timing cover off?
Best way to check for true TDC on Number 1?

 

[gman415]

I would check the timming mark first.

Pull #1 plug(all plugs it will turn easier) and turn buy hand, sick a long peice of wire down the plug hole and fill for the piston to "top out", check your timming mark on the balancer.

 

[TURNA]

Did it run before you installed it?

did you change the lifters when u did the cam swap?

Is it popping through the carb when you are turning it over?

 

[thumper]

I bought it with just a compression test and swapped the cam, lifters and new springs out. It popped thru the carb once but the dist. was 180 out. It turns over but sounds like no compression until I loosen the valves. Valves are 1/4 turn tight past pushrod turning.

 

[TURNA]

When u bought it what type of compression test did u do?

Did you turn it over with a starter or by hand?

Were all the cylinders the same?



Loosen the distributor just enough to turn it and move it around slowly as it is cranking over see if it starts or starts popping

Bring piston 1 up to TDC and recheck your distributor rotor location.


I think you may be a tooth or two off


If think you installed the cam gear wrong you probally did. Only one way to be sure.

Open her up. It can be done in the car just pull out the radiator.

 

[thumper]

I am at a loss.
I pulled the front of the engine apart and made sure the marks were dead on. I put it back together. checked dist. timing, valve adjustment and number one still has no compression. Not even a blimp of the needle.

If I pull the rocker arms number one has compression (you can hear it) push rod lengths is right (longer in exhaust).
Leak down test shows about 10 percent on number one.

Put a degree wheel on the cam and

Exhaust opens 125 bbdc Closes 10 btdc (.50)
Intake opens 0 tdc closes 130 abdc (.50) had a hard time getting the base to hold perfect

Cam card
INTAKE TIMING @ .050" LIFT: Opens: 0° ATDC
Closes: 38° ABDC
EXHAUST TIMING @ .050" LIFT: Opens: 53° BBDC
Closes: 5° BTDC

Not sure what else to do...... figured tomorrow I would leak down test all cylinders

 

[thumper]

Here is the wheel I used

 

[TURNA]

do u have spark? do you have fuel?

 

[gman415]

The compression has to be going somewhere. Maybe try laying your hand over the carb and spin it over, see if your compression is going out the intake.
If your cam was this far off, I would think you would have piston/valve contact issues.

 

[thumper]

Well I put it all together again..............
Checked Spark- Good
Checked fuel spraying out of carb-good, old but spraying.
Plugs not getting wet, removed intake manifold and port not really wet

Thinking due to lack of compression it is not pulling the mixture in the heads.

Going to leak down test the cylinder with it all put together to see.............