Help !!

[sam]

I JUST INSTALLED A NEW COMP CAM IN MY 440.
( I HAVE DONE THIS MANY TIMES IN MY 76 YEARS.)
THE PROBLEM IS ,THE ENGINE WILL NOT START.IT HAS SPARK,
GAS AND COMPRESSION.IS IT POSSIBLE COMP LIFTERS CAN BLEED
OUT?
I INSTALLED IT LIKE I'VE DONE ANY OTHER CAM.
I COULD USE SOME (SERIOUS) HELP.:cussing:
THANKS,SAM
scnpc2912@roadrunner.com

 

[Chargerdon]

How are the plugs?? I've seen when changing the Cam..that the different compression caused by the new cam will cause the plugs to not fire... just a thought..

 

[Cranky]

IS IT POSSIBLE COMP LIFTERS CAN BLEED
OUT?
I INSTALLED IT LIKE I'VE DONE ANY OTHER CAM.

If the lifters bled down, you wouldn't have much compression if any. And how is it that you installed the cam? Using the dot method? If you've been getting by with installing cams like that all these years, you should count yourself as being really really lucky.

 

[Histoy]

Check to make sure that the distributor is not installed 180 degrees out of time. This is an easy mistake to make when installing a new cam. Remove #1 spark plug, and bump the starter until you get compression. Remove the distributor cap and check to see if the rotor is pointing to the #1 spark plug wire.

 

[sam]

Help-not running

NEW PLUGS--2 DISTRIBUTORS--180(A LOT OF TIMES)
WHY THE DOUBT ABOUT THE "DOT" METHOD.
PISTON UP ETC.
REPLACED BALLAST-CONTROL BOX-CHECKED-ALL THE WIRES AT FIREWALL & STILL NO FIRE !:angry1::angry1::angry1:
THANKS FOR THE RESPONSE.:icon_salut:
AND FOR THE E-MAIL(KINDA HELPFUL) LOTTA PEOPLE OUT THERE
IN "B"BODY LAND.

 

[Cranky]

Let's see...production tolerance can stack up against you....timing gears mismatched in the same box and the dots flat out punched in the wrong spot....and how bout the cam being ground off of center. Man, I don't mean to be sarcastic but all of this can and has happened. A buddy that builds engines for a living got in a hurry on his own engine and installed a new 590 lift cam by the dot method and bent all 8 of his brand new 2.14 intake valves. Installing by the dot method leaves you scratching your head when it won't start or run right. Using a degree wheel will tell you EXACTLY where it's at and gets rid of the guessing game. You can also set up true TDC on your balancer or at least make sure it's marked right. I've been a machinist for nearly 30 years and have seen a lot of crap happen. There's always a better way to do something and using a degree wheel is the better way. Btw, my buddy's engine actually started up but that's all it did. It would die as soon as he hit the throttle. You can at least see if it's close by baring the engine over while watching your valves on #1 with the vc off so long as the balancer is close. I've seen plenty of them slip the outer ring.

You said in your first post you had spark...now you don't? Nice looking engine btw.

 

[sam]

Help-no start

HEY CRANKY,
I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING,BUT, WITH THE PLUG OUT-PISTON UP
THE BALANCER IS DEAD ON "0".
THURSDAY IS ANOTHER DAY.I'M GONNA CHECK EVERYTHING ALL OVER
AGAIN.
BY THE WAY,IT DOES HAVE SPARK.
THANKS FOR THE INPUT.:icon_salut:
SAM

 

[IQ52]

You can do a rough cam timing check with just the left valve cover off.

Set the engine to number one fire with the valves closed, start rotating the crank 360 degrees and watch the rockers as they approach split overlap. When the rockers are level with each other (holding the valves open the same), check the timing mark, it should be around zero. If way off, the cam timing is off.