Rediculous. It's one of the reasons these shade-tree mechanics hate me and my books so much...

As long as no physical damage is done, this is probably an easy problem to fix with the engine *in* the car.

-Wayne

I'm still working on this but I did a partial engine drop a few days ago and found the engine cam on the right side to be quite a bit out of specs. This was the side that did not have combustion.

I carefully timed both cams and double checked and triple checked. I have assembled everything and just turned the motor over and it has not yet started, BUT now the motor cranks normally. It sounds good, so to speak even without the motor running.

sayah,

So, was your "fix" successful? Aren't you glad you didn't pay those ripoff artists the $4000 they quoted? This board has helped me out more than I can ever describe. I hope your car is running again. Congrats on your first rebuild!

Art - Thanks for asking. Well I got it timed and it started right up but the symptoms are the same. Lack of power, it also smokes a bit when hot? It does seem better than before though. Does this seem normal for a newly rebuilt engine? Anyway it doesn't leak! I will get it re-registered and insured and try to drive it some. I am trying not to get too hung up with making it perfect righ away, just to get it drivable.

---- check timing curve

---- smoke may be coming from the engine not broken in. I assuming it's blue smoke.

Finally got the car out for a drive. Makes power OK now. I think I just didn't get the timing correct during the rebuild. This is an easy mistake. I will now tweak the carbs and play with the distributor to get it to make its max horsepower. I'm sure it will be better once it gets run in.

Of course the best thing is you get a fun sexy automobile for not alot of money (relatively) and a good everyday beater. Now if I could only get it to use less gas.

Are these new re-built carbs by a pro ?

I like my carbs rich.. it's a personal prob.

Thanks for all the encouragement provided by the group. I finally found out what the problem was - one of the rocker arm shafts were not securely installed and through the right side timing off. Found this out after a test run and noticed oil pouring out of what looked like the right rear side oil return tube. Spent the day replacing the tube, leaked with the new tube installed.

Took off the exhaust valve cover, secured the rocker arm shaft, and the car is running as it should.

Moral of the story must be to always use a torque wrench.

Hope that everything is ok now. I figure that you are way ahead for not paying that guy 4k to find your problem.