84 t-type redone engine wont start

my neighbor has a t-type and we are stuck on trying to get the engine to start. the complete block was redone (cam,lifters,valve springs). what would be preventing it from starting. somebody told us something about valve lash but he doesnt think that sounds right. we put it at tdc and dist. landed on 1. also does anybody have some pictures of how their dist. is setup from the tach and battery to be easier to reach for the plugs and not be hitting the valve cover when trying to plug them in.

Do you have spark and fuel. sure you are not 180 off on the dist?

Do you have spark and fuel. sure you are not 180 off on the dist?

its not 180 out and have spark and fuel.

If the timing is right, spark and fuel, compression included, something is missing here, it should run, you need to retrace some steps. This includes valve timing of course

We need to be 100% sure you understood what Max was referring to in his first post. When the distributor was put in did you make sure #1 cylinder was at the beginning of the power stroke & not the beginning of the intake stroke.

Next thing would be to make sure the firing order is correct. Weren't all GM V8's 18436572? In order to check the firing order you also need to know if the distributor turns clockwise or counter clockwise.

Have you checked the timing with a light to see if you have it close enough to start?

We need to be 100% sure you understood what Max was referring to in his first post. When the distributor was put in did you make sure #1 cylinder was at the beginning of the power stroke & not the beginning of the intake stroke.

Next thing would be to make sure the firing order is correct. Weren't all GM V8's 18436572? In order to check the firing order you also need to know if the distributor turns clockwise or counter clockwise.

Have you checked the timing with a light to see if you have it close enough to start?

its a v6 3.8 engine not a v8 the firing order is 1-6-5-4-3-2 and it is clockwise. its not on the intake stroke either. we have rotated the crank around twice and it landed right where 1 was. its right on the hard stroke not the easy stroke (intake). and correction to the title its an 83. 84 was when it was a hybrid between regal t-type style and grand national style.

If the timing is right, spark and fuel, compression included, something is missing here, it should run, you need to retrace some steps. This includes valve timing of course

do you know what the valves should be timed at?

Valve timing is the correct position of the cam in relation to the crank per the timing marks on both gears.

Valve timing is the correct position of the cam in relation to the crank per the timing marks on both gears.

well everything is aligned or everything wouldn't work right or it wouldn't match up on the dist. right? so what is the next possible problem?

Did you &/or your neighbor put the timing gears on?
The mark on the crank gear should have been in the 12 o'clock position and the cam gear mark in the 6 o'clock position.

Can you tell us what's happening when you try to start?
How long did this rebuild take - any chance the gas is bad?

Did you &/or your neighbor put the timing gears on?
The mark on the crank gear should have been in the 12 o'clock position and the cam gear mark in the 6 o'clock position.

Can you tell us what's happening when you try to start?
How long did this rebuild take - any chance the gas is bad?

it was done when he worked in a shop. it took like 2 weekends if i recall right.

You never said whether or not timing was checked with a timing light.

After trying to start are the spark plugs wet or dry?
Have you checked compression?
What type of ignition system are you using - is this the High Energy distributor with the coils on top of the cap?

You never said whether or not timing was checked with a timing light.

After trying to start are the spark plugs wet or dry?
Have you checked compression?
What type of ignition system are you using - is this the High Energy distributor with the coils on top of the cap?

it has good compression. http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/2449/1573512405185611480zp1.jpg
picture is of engine with distributor in

I can’t help you if you don’t answer my questions. Trying to diagnose a problem like this over the net is difficult enough. You have compression so if the timing gears & distributor were put on properly it comes down to fuel & spark which you say you have. Guess what? It should be running. You guys are probably missing something simple.

We’ve been trying to help for a week now & you haven’t even told us if it ever tries to start or if it’s completely dead.

If it tries to start you may just need to rotate the distributor (doesn’t sound like you’re using a timing light) or adjust the choke.

If it’s completely dead you need to go over everything again. You know the firing order – have you gone around the distributor & double checked it? Are you calling the correct cylinder #1?

I can’t help you if you don’t answer my questions. Trying to diagnose a problem like this over the net is difficult enough. You have compression so if the timing gears & distributor were put on properly it comes down to fuel & spark which you say you have. Guess what? It should be running. You guys are probably missing something simple.

We’ve been trying to help for a week now & you haven’t even told us if it ever tries to start or if it’s completely dead.

If it tries to start you may just need to rotate the distributor (doesn’t sound like you’re using a timing light) or adjust the choke.

If it’s completely dead you need to go over everything again. You know the firing order – have you gone around the distributor & double checked it? Are you calling the correct cylinder #1?

well battery died awhile ago then now the starter just clicking. the engine when it did spin spun slowly though before the starter gave in.