my 307 won't start!

A hello to my car gods - hopefully, someone with some knowledge may help me out here...

I have 68 Impala with a 307 cid Small Block - i bought it with a blown head gasket, and decided to do the work myself (no small task for a rookie, but I hope to prevail)

I took the thing apart, cleaned it, replaced the gaskets, and put everything back together correctly - except... the engine will not start, and it sounds like it backfires...

I think it may have to do with the rocker arms and pushrods considering I didn't "adjust" them, I kinda haphazardly put them back on... could this be the reason the engine wont start?

I know it wants to, but it cant, and I hope that it's just the rocker arms are adjusted, and I didn't do anything else wrong, but if there is anyone who can identify why I may be having this problem, please do!

I checked the distributor, so I know it's not that, I just didn't think the rocker arms would make it back fire and not start.

I hope I didnt ruin a good engine! please help!
thanks!

Sounds like you have the timing 180 off.

Do this...
Bring the #1 cylinder to top dead center, this is on the compression stroke with the piston at the top of the cylinder(TDC). Take the spk plug out and wait for the air to rush out of the spk plug hole, check to see that the timing mark(balancer slash) is lined up with the "0" on the timing tab on the timing chain cover.

Pull the cap off of the rotor and see where it points.. it should point to the #1 fire spark plug lead. If it does not lift the distributor out and positon it until it fits down fully with the rotor pointing at the #1 plug wire lead.(sometimes this is difficult as you are also trying to line up the cam and oil drive gears)

If it does already point to the #1 lead then you have serious problems.
Get someone who can help you hands on.

It is to complicated to explain typing.

from your description of the problem it definately sounds like your problem which is very common.

Most ppl will mark the dist shaft base and the block before they take them out of the hole to ensure that they set them back in proplerly.

Good luck

Ask more questions if you need. I will try to help.

It turns out that, indeed the timing was off - the Rotor was pointed at the number 2 cylinder when it was at TDC!!! Runs like a dream now, thank you!

just goes to show, no matter what you bring up in a forums, someone will be able to answer your question!