[dmac]

I've had more trouble tightening crank pulley bolt than loosening it using a 6 foot pipe on the end of the wrench. with a screwdriver jammed tight in the pulley between belt and pulley to keep it from turning as easy. Similar to the idea of using locking pliers or vise grips. Keeping plugs in will help. The rope in the cylinder should work too, maybe even easier with a long handle on the end of the wrench. And if it is a fourspeed, leaving it in gear can also help keep motor from turning

[67gtospud]

First thing is get an actual compression gauge on the engine and get some readings. Next; since you seem to have verified everything else, the only thing left is the cam timing. Because you didn’t degree the cam after installing it you can’t say for sure that it’s been installed correctly.

[Sirrotica]

Clamp a pair of vise grips on the flywheel, works to tighten or loosen the balancer bolt.

An impact wrench will also work if you have one.

[panhead59]

I found the problem !!!! FINALLY. Just took off timing cover. I have a Cloyes 3 key timing set and crank gear is on "advance" keyway. Plus i wasn't using correct symbol (timing mark). So it was ALL screwed up ! I don't think i've ever messed with this type ( 3 keyways ) of crank gear before.
I feel pretty dumb, but at least i'm smarter today than i was yesterday !! Thanks a million for all the help. I know it must be frustrating on your end also. I'll get it back together this weekend and add to this post once it starts. Tks again !!!!!

[steve25]

No problem on our end out here, it's just really good that you had the determination to stick with it, congrats to ya!

Do not put the timing cover back on though until you have good confirmed compression !

[Scott65]

There is some degree of relief to finding the problem. Even, and maybe especially when its self inflicted. I've been there myself for sure. Hope it goes easier the rest of the way!

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by panhead59

I found the problem !!!! FINALLY. Just took off timing cover. I have a Cloyes 3 key timing set and crank gear is on "advance" keyway. Plus i wasn't using correct symbol (timing mark). So it was ALL screwed up ! I don't think i've ever messed with this type ( 3 keyways ) of crank gear before.
I feel pretty dumb, but at least i'm smarter today than i was yesterday !! Thanks a million for all the help. I know it must be frustrating on your end also. I'll get it back together this weekend and add to this post once it starts. Tks again !!!!!

You are not the first to have this happen, that's for sure. You stayed with it until you figured it out. Smooth sailing the rest of the way. The 9 keyway gears are three times more complicated, I always use a sharpie marker for that reason. Good luck.

[sdbob]

Good you stayed with it as others have said. We live and learn. Problem as I age I forget. Except whole week years ago trying to start engine on no. 1 exhaust!! Now I concentrate when doing certain things.

[Old Goat Racer]

If possible take a pic of the newly installed gear and chain and let the "smart minds" take a look.

[1969400HO]

In my job we do “buddy checks” or sanity checks to make sure we did the last correct.
As a 45 years long mechanic started in the old heavies, I NEVER take ppl’s words as final assessment on anything, never!
Dig & dig then Verify it myself.
It’s the Only way to know for certain.

[Old Goat Racer]

"Father/Son " checks. JR. and I have been doing that for years.

[ta man]

Now is also a good time to confirm that your balancer and timing tab reads 0 at TDC..I've seen a few off especially with used balancers.

[1969400HO]

Adding to this point, it’s a good time to consider verifying this balancer rubber insert is in good shape. If its a 50 yr old piece might want to consider having the rubberized insert redone!
NOTHING on my 1969 made of rubber on the entire car has survived , nothing!!!
And pick up a $6 balancer tape and put on it when the final piece is put on it.!!

[panhead59]

Tks. Guys. Its got a new balancer. I will readjust valves for sure and check comp. I'll post pic if i can figure that out. Won't be till sat. Next project is a gear vendors OD unit install. Received it today. I'll drive goat a couple weeks before install just to enjoy this effort. Tks
Again.

[popdella63]

I have had issues more than just a few times in the past with Pertronix and "no-start". When I first call the Pertronix Customer Service line a few years ago, I was told that the Pertronix unit was only generating a dwell angle ON CRANKING as low as 7 degrees, which is usually not enough dwell to start a Pontiac with a standard distributor baseplate upgraded to a new breakerless setup.

I removed the Pertronix equipped distributor and set up a standard point distributor at a near 30 degree angle as needed.

Varoom! I've never looked back despite several of my fellow Ponti-Yackers successfully running Pertronix. I believe the point is to eliminate the points, but I'd rather be on the side of the road with my long screw driver and screw setter replacing 20 dollar points (Advance Autozone, O'Reilly's etc) than a faulty electronic, and in my opinion, overpriced unit from a non-mainstream autoparts vendor !

Try it, I might just be right!!

[popdella63]

Sorry, I see now the problem was remedied "under-cover" so to speak...good catch!

I have had issues with those 9-keyway jobbies myself as well as remembering my first 3-keyway days, and hence I strongly agree with the "Sharpie Marker Tool"!

It (Sharpie Juice) might also make a good oil additive! Haha. VERY GLAD YOU'RE UP AND RUNNING!

[mchell]

Originally Posted by panhead59

I found the problem !!!! FINALLY. Just took off timing cover. I have a Cloyes 3 key timing set and crank gear is on "advance" keyway. Plus i wasn't using correct symbol (timing mark). So it was ALL screwed up ! I don't think i've ever messed with this type ( 3 keyways ) of crank gear before.
I feel pretty dumb, but at least i'm smarter today than i was yesterday !! Thanks a million for all the help. I know it must be frustrating on your end also. I'll get it back together this weekend and add to this post once it starts. Tks again !!!!!

So how many degrees do you think it was off?

You get a pic of the orientation when you pulled the timing cover?

Unless it was dramatically off I would think the engine would start and run albeit like crap?

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by mchell

So how many degrees do you think it was off?

You get a pic of the orientation when you pulled the timing cover?

Unless it was dramatically off I would think the engine would start and run albeit like crap?

Remember, he also found a wiring issue along the way. I believe that the popping and backfiring started right after he repaired that? IIRC

[panhead59]

No telling how far it was off. Keyway was 4 degrees advanced but i didn't even have the corresponding timing mark lined up. So it was WAY off which of course affected everything. Don't know what i was thinking !!! Obviously i wasn't !!!!

[Sirrotica]

I can't remember if the wet plugs were addressed, but if you intend to use the same plugs, take a propane torch, or hold the plugs over a flame on a gas stove and dry them out until the gas quits burning off of the plugs.

If you do this just before you attempt to start the engine, use gloves and install the plugs warm, I'm going to bet it will fire right off and run well, unless you have other problems. Years ago I found out if you have a flooded engine ( Being my trade was a mechanic, I always had to get engines started that someone else flooded, and didn't know what to do next) you dry the plugs with fire, then install them warm, the car fires right up. Old timer told me that when I was about 16 YO. I tried it, and especially in a cold environment it really is a lot more efficient than just cleaning the plugs, the warm plugs definitely make them fire right off.

So now I'm the old timer, and passing the trick along to someone younger ( I assume). Try it, it flat out works.