grrr...frustrating
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 84
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From: Monroe,Michigan
grrr...frustrating
Ok I swapped in my lt1 cam and I had a bunch of problems but finally got it to start. I turned it off cause water was in the engine, so i changed the oil and set the valves and went to start it again and it didnt start. So whats my problem?? I loosened the rockers and messed with the timing and nothing.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Monroe,Michigan
hehe funny story I uh kinda left the hood open when the engine was apart and it kinda rained. 
I went to go do something and forgot to comeback. I just went and picked up some new plugs hoping that was the problem.
I went to go do something and forgot to comeback. I just went and picked up some new plugs hoping that was the problem. 
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Royal Oak, (Detroit area) Mi.
Why loosen the rockers or mess with the timing? In the shop I used to work at, if you ever put together a new engine, and it backfired, or didn't start, you would never live it down. Here are a couple hints to help you in the future.
When you put the cam in, with the marks lined up, you are on the overlap for number 1. So with the cam and crank there, put the distributor in 180 from #1. Turn the distributor so there is about 10 degrees advance. Now to adj the valves, with the intake off, this is how you do it. This BTW, will work with ANY cam regardless of profile. It could be a street cam, or an .850 300+degree roller cam, this will still work perfectly.
ADJ the intake valve as the exhaust just starts to open. ADJ the exhaust valve as the intake just starts to close. The way to ADJ the valves is this, lay your fingers across the pushrod, down in the valley, (remember intake is still off). Lightly roll the pushrod back and forth. Your fingers are only on one side of the pushrod. As you do this, tighten the rocker, being careful to not put side pressure on the rocker. There will come a point when the pushrod will just stop. At this point, back off about 1/16 a turn or less, and the pushrod should start to spin again, then retighten and it should stop at the exact same spot. If it does not, it is because you are putting side pressure on the rocker, giving false readings. Now after you are sure you have the exact spot where the pushrod stops spinning, add 1/2 to 3/4 turn, (what ever your pleasure is, some guys go 3/4, some 1/2. for normal cars, I always went 3/4). (with mech cams, you would of course be setting your clearance, not going for zero lash +)
You now know the valves are ADJ'ed PERFECTLY. If they are not, it is because you did something wrong. this system works 100%. Then, when you have a car that won't start, if you have done this, you will KNOW that it CANNOT be the timing or the vlave ADJ, so you can look for what might be wrong.
Tom
When you put the cam in, with the marks lined up, you are on the overlap for number 1. So with the cam and crank there, put the distributor in 180 from #1. Turn the distributor so there is about 10 degrees advance. Now to adj the valves, with the intake off, this is how you do it. This BTW, will work with ANY cam regardless of profile. It could be a street cam, or an .850 300+degree roller cam, this will still work perfectly.
ADJ the intake valve as the exhaust just starts to open. ADJ the exhaust valve as the intake just starts to close. The way to ADJ the valves is this, lay your fingers across the pushrod, down in the valley, (remember intake is still off). Lightly roll the pushrod back and forth. Your fingers are only on one side of the pushrod. As you do this, tighten the rocker, being careful to not put side pressure on the rocker. There will come a point when the pushrod will just stop. At this point, back off about 1/16 a turn or less, and the pushrod should start to spin again, then retighten and it should stop at the exact same spot. If it does not, it is because you are putting side pressure on the rocker, giving false readings. Now after you are sure you have the exact spot where the pushrod stops spinning, add 1/2 to 3/4 turn, (what ever your pleasure is, some guys go 3/4, some 1/2. for normal cars, I always went 3/4). (with mech cams, you would of course be setting your clearance, not going for zero lash +)
You now know the valves are ADJ'ed PERFECTLY. If they are not, it is because you did something wrong. this system works 100%. Then, when you have a car that won't start, if you have done this, you will KNOW that it CANNOT be the timing or the vlave ADJ, so you can look for what might be wrong.
Tom