Thread: Rebuilt 350 won't fire-up!

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I wholeheartedly agree with 73RS, check the rocker height/valve lash. I had a very similar situation when I put in a new 350 into my Camaro. I must have timed it every way possible. It turned out that I had several of the valves too tight.

I had always read that for hydraulic lifters you should tighten them up until there is no play in the pushrod. I took it way too literally and tightened them until I couldn't even turn the pushrod, then I even tightened it another 3/4 turn. Finally, after failing to get the engine to fire properly, I backed them all off and tightened them untill there was no "vertical" play. The engine fired up right on the first crank.

Originally Posted by DennyW

I never did like the twist the push rod thing. Vertical play is the way to set them.

how does that work?

keep in mind with the timing gears dot to dot, that is #6 in the dist, cap, not #1. also to be on #1 in the cap you need to be on the comp. stroke.