'64 429 limo won't start, Help!

[Guest squeakieklean]

The guy that sold me the car said he had air, spark, fuel and compression but couldn't get the harmonic balancer off to check the cam timing. I verified the timing marks, reassembled and it won't start. I have air/fuel for sure compression is good, spark is strong to the (new) sparkplugs. I double and triple checked the ignition timing and firing order. I've put together a hundred of these and I'm at a loss. Maybe a bunch of push rods are bent? The cam snapped in the middle? I doubt it but I'll pull the valve covers tomorrow and verify. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[McDar]

Have you taken off the distributor cap and watched the rotor? If it turns smoothly witout any jerks the TC and gears are probably okay. I had a 59 that had a massive vacuum leak and wouldn't fire a lick. It would draw air through the leak and show good compression but couldn't draw air/fuel through the carb(s) to give the cylinders a combustable mixture.

[Bleach]

Have you tried to simply pour a little gas down the carb while trying to start it? Also have you checked to see if the carb squirts gas down the bores when you pump it?

[Guest squeakieklean]

I actually pulled the timing cover and verified the timing marks. They were good and the chain looked about a week old. I havn't found any big vacuum leaks but I like the idea; there are a thousand vacuum lines and a leak could be easily overlooked. Thanks. I didn't get a chance to pull the valve covers today and check for stuck or non operational valves because I was busy installing a new starter and 1-0 battery cables. It cranks sluggishly and these should take care of that.

[Guest squeakieklean]

I tried gas and starting fluid directly into the primaries, also I primed the fuel system with a vacuum pump and verified fuel pump function prior to attempting ignition. The carburetor is a fresh rebuild from a trusted local shop. It definately has air and fuel.

[Guest squeakieklean]

I finished the battery cables up today and it cranks crazy good. I pulled the valve cover and watched the rockers all move just like they should. It still won't start. My new theory is that a small animal made a nice little nest in the exhaust system and it's completely blocked. I pressed my palm against the end of the exhaust pipe while my wife cranked the car and I felt NOTHING.

Edited September 17, 2011 by squeakieklean (see edit history)

[Bleach]

I finished the battery cables up today and it cranks crazy good. I pulled the valve cover and watched the rockers all move just like they should. It still won't start. My new theory is that a small animal made a nice little nest in the exhaust system and it's completely blocked. I pressed my palm against the end of the exhaust pipe while my wife cranked the car and felt NOTHING.

Bingo and Bob's your uncle!

[Guest squeakieklean]

So with the timing cover off the timing marks lined up and the #1 piston was at TDC. That should have been the compression stroke right? WRONG!!! I was 180 degrees out the whole time! The guy I bought it from sold it to me for 800 bucks because of the timing! I rotated the engine by hand today while watching the rockers and the rotor and figured it out instantly. As soon as I touched the key it ROARED to life! Thanks for your help!