Okay, I have a 1986 Camaro with a 305, and I just finished putting the engine back together. I had a blown head gasket.

Anyway, when I try to start it, the engine turns, but won't start. I'm getting fuel and spark, at the #1 plug at least, but it still won't start.

I believe I have everything adjusted properly (valve lash, timing, etc.)

I don't have emission hoses hooked up yet, but that shouldn't prevent it from starting, should it? Am I overlooking anything? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Distributor 180° out

Find the #1 firing point by way of compression, which is one of the 2 instances of #1 TDC in one complete engine cycle (the other being the point at which the exh valve is closing and the int is opening); and drop the dist in so that the rotor points to the #1 plug wire which should be the one just to the driver's side of straight ahead.

 

I've already thought of it, and rotated the distributor 180 degrees, but it still wouldn't start.

 

Try backing the valves off a bit. You cannot guess at this, when the engine has set for a bit, the lifters will bleed off oil. Then if you try to set the lash before starting the lifters can build up pressure causing the valves to hang open.

If you back off the lifters until the rockers are loose, you won't do any damage starting it as long as you don't rev the snot out of it.

 

I Tried backing off the valves, and it still wont start. Any other ideas?????

 

What method of fuel delivery?

 

Its carburated and fuel is getting to it.

 

Do you have sufficient spark? Spark, Fuel, Timing. If you got these three it will start. IF you do have good spark, and fuel, you need to reset the distributor, because it still isnt right.

 

Well I reset the distributor earlier, before backing off the valves, thinking that was the problem. Maybe the distributor was right the first time and I just needed to do the valves. So I'll try the distributor again and let you know how that goes. Thanks for the help so far, guys.

 

YEAY! I finally got it started. It turned out to be the valves afterall. I just had to put the distributor back where it was supposed to be. Thanks everyone for the help.

 

I thought I fixed the problem but I guess not. When I losen the valves the car starts fine with no problem. When I tighten the valves it wont start. I tried adjusting the valves by tightening them the way it said to in three different car books I have, but it still wont start. Can someone give me any ideas. I'd appreciate it.

 

Car runs = valves are right

Car doesn't run = valves are wrong

Pretty simple stuff here. Don't outsmart yourself.

Thrpw the books away. Either they're wrong, or they're for some other engine, or something.

Get the car to run, with the valve covers off. One at a time, back off each one until it ticks loudly; then slowly re-tighten it until it stops clattering. Do them all this way as quickly as you can. Then shut the engine off, and tighten each one down ½ turn more from there. Put the valve covers on, and put the car back in service.