Desperation setting in!

[alan_thomas]

After fitting new head gaskets and reassembling I have a strange problem.
Just about runs but only on 4 cylinders with blowbacks thru carbs
Right hand exhaust manifold gets hot along entire length but left hand exhaust manifold stays stone cold with all plugs wet with fuel.
plug leads in wrong order you say, no checked and rechecked. Timing made off no2 at TDC . I have even checked that I haven’t put a RH can in the left bank (got lots of camshafts)
can’t think of anything that would knock out a complete bank as both carbs feed cylinders on both sides.
Thinking it must be the camshaft position but with the camcover off all seems right.
Ideas?
Alan

ps - I’ve done this job several times on different Stags and am quite familiar with building engines. However I am struggling with the loss of all sight in my right eye

[NeilR]

Compression test will give you a clue. I would say most likely camshaft timing though, assuming it's actually turning. Try running it with cam cover off for a few seconds to be sure.

[alan_thomas]

My experience tells me that I must have the LH cam 180deg out and this would clobber the valves against the pistons but I’m trying to visualise if, being 180 out, whether there would be valve contact?

[jbuckl]

Was it timed at tdc no 2 on compression?
sounds possible that it might have been exhaust instead.

turn the engine to rotor arm at no 2; & tdc.
remove oil filler; check cam mark is visible

[alan_thomas]

Just arrived at the same conclusion, LH bank timed on exhaust stroke. I blame it on my poor vision.
After a lot of consideration I should be ok with the valves being exactly 180 out - phew!
now all I need to do is put the crank in a position where none of the valves can hit when camshaft is turned take the cam sprocket bolts out without dropping them down the timing case. Don’t let the sprocket drop otherwise it’s timing case off time. Then should be just a case of turning cam 180 and re assembly.
Thanks for advice- Alan

[jbuckl]

Before ripping into it, just remove the LH cam cover and see where the mark is when rh is visible in the oil filler.

Its still possible that it’s an ignition only issue.

[alan_thomas]

All ok now, ticking over smoothly. Paraphrasing that great comedy duo.
”Look here sunshine I timed all the valves, but not necessarily in the right order”

[jbuckl]

All ok now, ticking over smoothly. Paraphrasing that great comedy duo.
”Look here sunshine I timed all the valves, but not necessarily in the right order”

Sorry to hear about your eye.

Glad it’s going now.

As we sometimes hear in the office:-

In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king.