What's up guys

Got half way through cam break in on my carb swapped 89 bird before a pushrod jumped out of the lifter and snapped (I ****ed up the valve lash). It ran perfect before with the same carb and distributor, now after I put the intake back on it only pops sometimes on starting fluid. Didn't touch the carb and my distributors under a year old. I have good spark at the coil and plugs and I've tested the distributor timing 360 degrees so its not 180 out of phase

I'm fairly sure there are no vacuum leaks either.

I'm thoroughly stumped, this motor was always a hard start with the big cam but now, nothing. I'm getting a new cap and rotor just in case and borrowing another Holley from a buddy. Frustrating.


Pic in case it helps somehow. Yes the loose booster line in this photo is connected now

 

I'm running a Holley 670 street avenger vac secondaries (worked perfectly) a msd 6al and a msd pro billet distributor with centrifugal advance

 

After connecting the power brake vacuum line (and whatever else isn't hooked up yet) and otherwise FINISHING the job before trying to start it up, I would first lose all the MSD stuff and set it up with a stock dist with vac adv all by itself with a factory type coil (74-86ish non-computer HEI would be about perfect); then if it still doesn't start, verify that the rotor points to the #1 plug when the engine is at the instance of TDC that is #1 firing.

In no case would I try to get it to run with all those loose parts just laying around like that.

 

Hahaha thats not how it sits now, just the only picture I have of my engine bay. I should have clarified. Everythings buttoned up now I have the msd box and coil mounted, and both valve covers on (obviously). I'll try an HEI distributor setup after I check if my plugs are fouled. I find it weird how it could run mint before I pulled the intake and then **** the bed after I retrieved the pieces of my pushrod. Didnt mess with anything, I bought brand new intake gaskets too.

Thats just the way it goes i guess

 

"now after I put the intake back on it only pops sometimes on starting fluid"

Your timing is off, your dizzy is not installed right... End of story

They can be a pain to get set right sometimes, but I'm 101% sure that is your prob based on the above.

 

Turns out the carbon button on the cap is worn and not providing consistent sparks.

Thanks for the input NightRider and sofaking.