Changed the head gasket and now it won't crank

JasonNC

Now all it does is spew gas out of the carburetor. My guess is that I must have put the gasket on upside down since I can't think of any reason why the carburetor would start acting up when it was working fine a week ago before I took the head off. Before I take it back off, has anyone had this happen?

[Deleted User]

sounds like your carburetor float is stuck I think I'd tap on the inlet line little bit and see what happens

JasonNC

I tried that and nothing happened. I may have my mechanic take a look at it in the morning before I take that head back off.

Ol racer

FYI
Even If the H/gasket was inverted the motor should still crank. Make sure the carb flooding didnt fill the cylinders by removing the S/Plugs then look for other reasons....

[Deleted User]

I concur with Ol Racer....at $60.00 a pop for head gasket, I would find the fault of the gas issue and not remove the head.....Nine out of ten times these kind of issues are some thing simple?

rambos_ride

Gas spewing out of the carb? Won't crank..Sounds like you're distributor/wires are off.

Did you pull the distributor? re-check your wire routing from #1 TDC.

[Deleted User]

Maybe you should clarify some here . When you say it "Won't Crank " do you mean it turns over but wont start just leaks gas ?
My thinking is the fuel pump wont work if the engine is not spinning. So unless you have an electric fuel pump I dont see how putting the head on is connected .

Geoff

More information please. "Won't crank" - does this mean you cannot turn the engine over?

lostmind

Maybe this will help. Does the starter spin the engine?

JasonNC

Starter spins the engine and spark is going to the plugs. I didn't mark the distributor cap and put the spark plug wire for #1 back on by memory. I have tried to reset timing but haven't been successful. Will be out of town for two days, so working on it will have to wait.

harry54

Sounds like your firing order is off . Make sure #1 is in the right place on the cap. Just pull the cap and make sure the rotor is pointed to #1. Then 1-5-3-6-2-4 I bet she fires. Good luck .

Ol racer

FYI
Just to add another suggestion to First remove the #1 Sparkplug then put your Thumb tight on the hole then 'bump' the starter until your Thumb pops off the hole and look where the Rotor points, and that will be #1, then follow the Firing Order with your Wires....

rambos_ride

Jason - its real easy to get #1 plug in the wrong place - chances are you're only off by 1 slot, but agree with ol racer - make sure you're TDC #1 then route your lines. If the rotor looks like its between posts on the cap #1 should be the previous post in the distributor rotation. (assuming Hudson timing is set to BTDC, if its ATDC it would be the next post in the rotation)

[Deleted User]

When you feel your thumb start to rise, then look at the flywheel and turn till you see the long mark at the motor plate pointer, rotor should be on #1, then install the wire and go to 5-3-6-2-4 clockwise. Walt.

JasonNC

Okay, my memory was 180 degrees off from what it should have been. It finally cranked but the timing is way off. I'll have her right by Tuesday.