Quote Originally Posted by DennyW View Post
Check to make positive that you are not 180° out of time with the cam.
Is the plug wires in the correct firing order ?
Pull No. 1 plug, take a sandwich plastic bag, or similar push it into the plug hole with your pinky finger, then just bump the starter until it pops out. Then turn the crank by hand to bring No. 1 to the top. Now check distributor to make sure it is pointing to No. 1 cylinder. And if you still have the valve cover off, you can also watch the rocker action.
Red spark means weak spark. Check all connections.
Quote Originally Posted by ted dehaan View Post
When you see the intake valve closing bring the timing mark up on t.d.c. and make shure the rotor is pointing to cyl. #1if not pull the dist. up enough to point it to #1 in the dist. cap or if the valve covers are on remove #1 spark plug hold your finger over the hole when and turn eng over till you feel compresson and set timing mark on t.d.c. and then set dist in P/S how did you determin you needed head gaskets
Turns out I had overtightened the rockers so much the valves weren't closing! I didn't have a good understanding of what valve lash was. 5 turns too tight. The car is timed and running like a top now, save for the coolant leak that just popped up.