I'm a rookie at engine rebuilding and need help getting her going again - all suggestions appreciated, here's status:
1) Quadruple-checked TDC - by compression gauge, by observing valves (intake closing approaching, exhaust opening after)
2) Rotor points to #1, actually seems just past (about 5.30 when looking from front, not 5.00)
3) Points adjusted so just opening, vacuum pointed about 1/2 way between #4 and #6
4) Plug wires - #1 wire on cap immediately to the left of the door on distributor - 7 o'clockish
5) Spark confirmed, spark wire order triple-checked
6) Gas to rochester 2G carb...if anything, maybe too much gas - seems like inside carb is may be too damp - possible flooding? I had to loosen repo gas cap as pressure really builds up - read on the web that I need to cut spring in half to have pressure relieve easier.
7) Good compression - tested #1 at +/- 100 psi
8) Double-checked valve adjustment - checked out at 1/2 turn tighter than 0 lash
When I try starting, it tries to fire and I get "pfft, pfft, pfft, pop" - kind of hear compression. This is with just a squirt or two of gas or starter fluid and no choke or just a little choke, foot off accelerator. If I'm more generous with the accelerator - 1/3 or 1/2 down, or if I pump several times I get an exhaust backfire, which sounds like a rifle shot.
So, any suggestions? Do I just play with the distributor, trying a little more or less advance? Is it a carb issue? Is it possibly an air leak in the exhaust (I don't like how the y-pipe joins with the pipe to the muffler pipe - it may gap)?
I have concerns about continuing to try to turn over without success (although oil pressure appears good while cranking)...
