Thanks ho248, you might've missed my post just prior to yours? there was a matter of seconds between postings. I was careful when assembling, the cam and crank shafts both have keys on so the gears only fit one way. The gears both have an alignment mark on them which should be pointing each other to correctly align (the cam mark pointing down, the crank pointing up). Also, I have followed the engine working and it's perfect - follows the 18436572 order and the movements of piston and valves are correct.

The carb and intake are the stock originals... 2 barrel. They had worked prior to the rebuild and have not been touched. I am planning on getting an Edelbrock intake a 4bbl carb, but before dropping the money wanted to prove the engine - didn't think it'd be them holding it back...


I do get a couple of firings but never enough for the engine to pick up. I may try and get a video of it, but my battery is pretty flat right now.

Thanks so much for the help so far.