[jonjchris]

Hi all! I have a 78' 924. I recently completed a top end job. I replaced the head gasket and other top end gaskets, vacuum lines, timing belt, and the head was machined. I have had it all back together and running, but it cranks very hard. It sounds almost like a low battery or weak starter, but I know the battery has a good charge. Sometimes it will crank just fine, but the majority of the times it cranks hard.

I have checked, rechecked, and rechecked, the timing, and I am 95% sure that it is right. I have checked the valve clearances as well.

The timing belt, alternator/waterpump belt, and AC compressor belt are all at approximately the same tension as they were before I originally took them off.

I am not sure what to try next. This has been my first major engine job so I'm sorry if I sound like an idiot. I do feel happy that I at least got it to run, now I just need to tuned right. Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks!