Heres the deal. I just built a new 406 with TPIS cam, AFR heads, Victor Jr. and Demon Carb. I finally get it all in the car and decide to crank it up to start making adjustments to the timing and carb. Well, I couldn't seem to get the thing to start. I then decided the distributor is 180 degrees out so I swap it around and the thing pops through the carb. I know for sure now that the first way was correct so I switch it back. This time I pump the carb some and get it to fire up but shakes like crazy and dies. It's hard to start and won't stay running.

My valves are all adjusted correctly and the only thing I can think of is the rotor button because it's slightly black in the middle but not bad. It ran great on my 350 before I swapped it onto the 406. What am I missing? I have built several engines and have never had one to act this way. The valves were adjusted the way I have always done them on flat tappet hydraulic cams. Does the same apply for hydraulic rollers? When the exhaust pushrod just starts to move the intake of the same cylinder is ready to be adjusted. When the intake pushrod comes all the way up and almost all the way down the exhaust is now ready to be adjusted to zero lash and then 1/2 turn.

 

Seems like you kno what you're doing, so I won't go into basics...but if you're sure wires are routed correctly, time is close, etc...possible the lifters compressed and you have the rocker too tight?

 

I'm so relieved. I just went into the garage and removed all the plugs and did a compression test on all cylinders. Only three had compression. So I backed off the valves 1/2 turn and checked for compression and came up with about 170 to 180 psi. Now I'm charging the battery back up and tomorrow I'll reset the valve with the engine running.

Why didn't my normal method work for the roller lifters? Is it because they pumped up?

 

Sime times its hard to establish where "0Lash" is on a new hyd lifter and you end up compressing the plunger in the lifter till the valve hangs open a little.

Happens to the best of us. Wouldn't sweat it, you found the problem.

 

i've had lifters spin as i tightened down the rocker nut making it look like the push rod was still spinning, that is setting the valves on a non running engine