"Engine starting 101"

Gasoline engines need the following to run - - - - -check everything; assume nothing.
Compression
Fuel
Spark
Timing

First of all, do a preliminary valve adjustment. Forget "specifications"- - -with each cylinder at top dead center on the compression stroke, gently adjust the rocker arms to zero clearance, back the adjuster off 1/4 turn, and lock the nut down. Repeat for all cylinders. You can get around to an accurate adjustment once the engine is warmed up. Now test the compression. An engine with at least 65-70 PSI compression on all cylinders will start and run. 90-100 is better, but not absolutely necessary.

Check the initial timing and the firing order. Turn the engine clockwise at the front until the exhaust valve on #6 cylinder is fully open- - - -the last valve in line back by the firewall has the spring fully compressed. Keep rotating the crankshaft until that valve spring relaxes and the next one in line (intake) barely begins to move. NOW- - - -THIS IS IMPORTANT- - - -use the distributor cap tower the rotor is pointing toward as your #1 cylinder- - - -NOT #6. Follow the firing order around clockwise with the rest of the plug wires for an order of 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Set the static timing. With #6 cylinder at TDC and the firing order arranged as above, turn the distributor housing clockwise until the points close. Now turn the housing CCW until the points barely open. Lock the distributor housing down and reinstall the cap.

Check for spark: remove the coil wire from the center of the distributor cap, turn the ignition switch on, and crank the engine with the end of the wire held about 1/4" from the cylinder head or the block. You should get a strong, rapid spark. Reconnect the coil wire. Pull the #1 spark plug wire off the plug and use a spare plug grounded against the head to check for fire at the plug. Insulated pliers for these two tests are recommended unless you get your jollies by getting zapped by 10,000 volts or so.

Pour an ounce or two of gas down the carburetor, or make sure the accelerator pump has a good squirt, and crank the engine up. it WILL start if all the above is correct.

Most of the boneheaded blunders I do (yes it still happens after 60-sonething years of tinkering with engines) are because I ASSUMED something was right instead of checking it!
Jerry
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"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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