Stumped.

[mike reeh]

got my engine back in and all hooked up. IT WILL NOT RUN.

I have checked and double checked (sometimes quintiple (?) checked) everything.

I can get it to barely sputter while holding the throttle from 1/2 to full. other than that it just will not run. I am stumped like I aint never been stumped before.

the engine was completely torn down and reassembled with new head gaskets (the engine was barely broken in from new) and lifters. thats it, it ran before disassembly.

the only thing I havent replaced is the carb. but I just rebuild this carb only a very short time ago and im 99% sure about the carb. It will not run with the addition of starting fluid, and its definately getting fuel. its not overflowing thru the venturii like a dirty needle & seat would indicate.

Ive replaced the cap, rotor, module, harness, capacitor in the distributor (only thing havent changed is the pickup coil) with absolutely no change.

I have set and re-set valve lash, made 100% SURE that its not 180 degrees out.. I have taken off the valve cover, and when both #1 valves are at zero tension just after the intake valve has closed, and just before the exhaust valve opens, my balancer indications TDC and the piston is physically at TDC by sticking something in there. So that rules out distributor 180 out or timing chain not installed correctly. plugs and wires are new, fuel is fresh. Its getting a real strong spark.. I removed the distributor and gave it 12v and spun the input shaft and every pole sparks very hard. nothing wrong there. I can move the distributor at least 50 degrees each direction (advanced and retarded) from TDC. There are no vacuum lines to be left unhooked. Got good squirt thru the accelerator pump nozzles..

A solid 12+ volts at the distributor hot wire.. engine turns over fast enough.. I have tried using jumper cables from 2 other good sources of power for 12V, tried isolating (removing completely) the battery from the system, isolated the alternator from the system, even isolated the entire cab from the system by running 12v directly to the distributor, and no go.

Im about to drive the thing off a cliff. As a last resort Im going to replace the pickup coil maybe tomorrow, or maybe tonite if the one from the old distributor is useable.. other than that Im totally stumped.. except of course for replacing the carb.. there is no lack of fuel though.. if anything too much but Im 99% sure its not flooding.. after removing the spark plugs they dont smell like gas and are not wet..

ANY ideas?

mike