Jj52391

Hello all. I have an 84 Cutlass with a Rocket 350 and number 8 heads that ran well. Recently, I took the heads off and had them machined/rebuilt at a pretty reputable shop. After reinstalling, I started the car, and it ran for about 30 second, but a little on the rougher side. After this initial start, it has refused to run again. I sent it to another shop and they took the heads off, checked it out and reinstalled another set of heads I had that were rebuilt, replaced the distributor, but also not able to get the car to start. I took the car back and reinstalled the original heads, but running into the same issue of no start. I have fuel, spark, and compression. Any ideas on what could be causing this?

gs72

Was the timing chain and gear set replaced. It might have jumped time. What kind of compression are you getting? Since the distributor has been out there is no way to check the timing set with the timing marks. You may have to pull the front cover and visually inspect them. Also put a vacuum gauge on it and check cranking vacuum it should be 2 to 3 in hg while cranking. If not it could be plugged exhaust or cam crank timing. If it ran fine before I doubt its the exhaust but you never know. Its cheaper to unbolt the exhaust from the manifolds and try to start it than throwing parts at it. Are the plugs wet?

olds 307 and 403

X2 on timing chain. Does it sound different cranking?

Jj52391

Does sound a little different when cranking. Compression was around 100-110 on all cylinders. I've never personally done timing chain/gears so I guess I'll try a couple of these tips and probably find a shop. Thanks for the input

Sugar Bear

Put the #1 cylinder at exactly TDC on the compression stroke. Mark the location of #1 spark plug wire on the distributor body, pull the distributor cap and see if the rotor is pointing at that mark. This will indicate if the ignition timing is close.

With #1 at TDC on the compression stroke pull the valve covers. The rocker arms on #1 should be closed and moving the crank an inch or so in either direction shouldn't cause any movement in the #1 rockers. The rockers on #6 should teeter open/close at this time, this confirms valve timing/timing chain.

100 - 110 psi seems low and since it's across the board it may very well be the timing chain. Timing chain replacement on these motors is great preventive maintenance plus a performance gain.

Good luck!!!

gs72

The distributor has been removed and replaced since it stopped running. The only way to truly tell is a visual inspection. I suppose you could pull the left valve cover and bring it up to tdc and see what the valves on #1 are doing.