Mel,
Could be your cam is mis-timed. Unlike most American cars, Healeys don't
have marks on the crank and cam gears; they are aligned by counting links on
the timing chain referenced to a special "bright" link (I don't have the shop
manual handy, so I'm working from memory here). If the mechanic didn't
know this there's no telling how he timed the cam (I struggled with this
when I put my BJ8 engine back together).
Too bad you've already put the head back on, the check for cam timing
involves putting a micrometer on the block and a degree wheel on the cam
gear and checking for correct lift on #1 at some number of degrees WRT
the degree wheel. Maybe you can remove the timing cover, set to (apparent)
TDC and count the links on the chain. If I recall, it's 13 links, but from what
to what I couldn't say w/o checking the manual.
It's also possible the timing mark on the harmonic balancer is off; the outer
part can slip WRT the inner part.
bs
***************************************************************
Bob Spidell San Jose, CA bspidell@comcast.net
'67 Austin-Healey 3000 '56 Austin-Healey 100M
***************************************************************
> Healey Folks
>
> I am in need of some help with my engine. I can not get it to start.
>
> A little history:
>
> I started a restoration on my 67 BJ8 in 2001 and before the body work I sent
> my engine to a mechanic I knew for an overhaul. He had never worked on a
> healey engine before. Engine was built with new bearings, rings, and cam.
> Anyway, the engine had been sitting in my garage since 2002, not test
> started, awaiting body work which was extensive. Bodywork done, engine goes
> back in, valves set using the 13 minus 1 method. Engine will not start, it
> will not even misfire. I found that the distributor drive was installed 180
> degrees out. Still will not fire even after gas placed in cyclinders.
> Starter dragging. Check compression - low - only one cyclinder reads near
> 90. Mechanic says the engine has sat and needs to run to get rings to set,
> sounded reasonable. Took head off and in for valve job, which was not done
> at time of rebuild. While head was off I poured about 4 ounces of 30 wt oil
> in each cyclinder to see if it would hold and they did. #4 leaked about 1/2
> in 24 hours. Got the head back, also installed new rocker shaft and
> bearings, torqued down, set valves .012 and still same low compression.
> Got a new reduction gear starter to turn engine faster. The points are set,
> plugs set and are firing, timing light shows timing is close. When I try to
> start it acts like it is going to start but it has not. Has not even
> backfired. New coil.
>
> Will an engine with low compression start? 5 cyclinders around 60 and 1 at
> 90.
>
> Are the valves set right? 1st valve fully opened 13-1= adjust #12 .012 and
> so on.
>
> Could the cam be installed wrong? When I put a timing light on it the
> flywheel notch is right on the arrow. When the #1 cyclinder is at top of
> compression stroke the pointer is on the flywheel notch.
>
> There may be something else that I am not thinking of. Anyway, I know this
> is a little long, and a very sad story, but I would appreciate any help.
>
>
> Mel Brunet
> 67 BJ8 39749
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