Enough about TDC already! In lieu of a positive stop device, which I don't have, I again set my mark at zero on the tab and removed the valve cover. I verified that both the intake and exhaust valves were not open. I watched as I spun the motor, saw the exhaust valve open. Just to be sure, I turned the engine over a couple more times, verified intake valve open, close, TDC, (rotor pointing to #1 wire), exhaust valve closed, then opens. Everything looks right, so I buttoned everything back up and it fired up. I let the engine run for a couple minutes, started to get warmed up, I put the timing light on it and set it at 8BTDC. I went to rev the engine, it backfired through the carb, stumbled, and died.
And now, it won't start again. What is really frustrating is how the engine doesn't want to crank at a high speed. It cranks really slow, like there's some sort of resistance. After it backfired and died, it would act like it was making contact with something when turning over. And FYI I had the battery jumped to a running car because whatever this resistance it takes a lot out of the battery pretty quickly. I'd like to start turning this discussion toward mechanical issues that could cause the engine to not start.
Some ideas I'm pondering: do I need a better ground wire from the engine? Do I need to chase a potential starter issue (it's brand new)? Could I have flex plate issue? Bad bearings or rods?
