OK, I have another problem

[Big D]

I have a 1959 corvette that someone put a 56 265 in it. When I first got the car, I replaced the ignition system, put new gas in and she started up pretty good, I got a back fire when I throttled up, but other than that, she idled at least. After a short while, she overheated, I shut her down and replaced the thermostat started her up again and noticed vapor comming from the right head, I checked the oil and saw evidence of antifreeze in it, so I went the cheap way put, pulled everything apart, changed out the head gaskets, intake manifold gaskets, you name it, I changed it. When putting the heads back on, I forgot to count how many turns each rocker took, so I have no idea if they are set right.

Now the car turns over, seems to try and catch at a certain point then she does not start, the carb is getting fuel, the plugs are getting power, I think the valves are not opening or closing properly and that is preventing statup, I have good oil pressure when cranking and so far I see no evidence tha the head gaskets are leaking. Any valve help?

 

[IH2LOSE]

Stop there!

I am not sure if this motor is solid lifters or hydrulic but for sure you should get a motor manual on how to set the rockers,I am from the ford camp originally so I dont know your motor but did you have to remove the distributor to get the heads off?

Is so how did you re install it.

If you marked the dist to re install did you crank the motor while apart?

Are you sure you have all the plug wires on in the right spot?

Dont try and start the car yet!

Start with the basics and work your way out,

Do you have comprestion? on all cylenders and what is.

 

[Big D]

I did need to take out the distributer

Then I set the engine at top dead center according to the hash mark and the harmonic balancer, the distributer would only drop fully when in the # 1 or number 6 firing position, according to a manual that I have from 1958, the engine should be corrrectly timed by doing this, the plug wires are all located correctly according to many firing order diagrams that I have found.

 

[IH2LOSE]

Did you have the plug out to conferm top dead on number one to make sure you are not 180 degrees out?

 

[ChuckG]

Before you crank it again, first determine whether you have solid or hydraulic lifters. BIG trouble if you have solids, and you have them tightened too much. You can wipe a cam in a heartbeat.

Check the service manual for the proper initial setting of both hydraulic and solid lifters. TOO extensive to write here. Chuck

 

[iron cross]

It appears from your post that the cam is hydraulic, The valves may be too tight and the engine will not start with open valves. Without going through a valve setting procedure, just loosen them up and give it another try. The correct setting can be done later after it works IF that is the problem. Or move on to an adjusting proceedure as is the exhaust opens adjust the intake and as the intake opens adjust the exhaust. This works for any camshaft.

 

[magicv8]

For hydraulic lifters adjust lash on the cylinder listed in the left column (below), when the intake and exhaust of the cylinder in the right column have inlet opening and exhaust closing.
1 6
8 5
4 7
3 2
6 1
5 8
7 4
2 3
Adjust by taking up all slack with a box wrench so that the pushrod will barely rotate between your fingers. Then tighten one half turn farther, so that the pushrod tip is .025 into the spring loaded action of the lifter.
or
Start by aligning the damper mark at 0 on the timimg tab with #1 cylinder valves both completly closed. This is #1 Top Dead Center (TDC). You can then adjust the following valves:
Exhaust
1,3,4,8
Intake
1,2,5,7
Rotate the engine exactly 360 degrees to #6 TDC.
Then adjust:
Exhaust
2,5,6,7
Intake
3,4,6,8