Need some help with a 61 Buick 364 Nailhead - It wont run.

[2Gunz]

So my friends car was running like garbage and popping out the carb.

We pulled the top end and found 4 round lubes on the cam and 2 bent rods.

We replaced the Rods, lifters, and cam, and closed it back up.

It refused to start. It would fire but not run.

The cam "dot" was installed down at the 6 oclock position and the crank "dot" was put at the 12 oclock position.
We put cylinder 1 at TDC on the revolution just after the intake valve closed.
We then installed the distributor so that the rotor is at cylinder 1.
The firing order was checked 900000 times.

No dice... it sputters.... but thats about it.

For the hell of it I spun the distributor 180 degrees.  It backfired out the carb caught on fire.... so Im pretty sure it was right the first time   


In desperation he bought a new carb for it  (I have Always HATED the old one anyway) ..... it now runs.... but only at WOT .... and at about 700 RPM and will stall as soon as I let the throttle go.

Any thoughts?

Maybe a leak between the heads and intake manifold?

This is kicking my ass, I must be overlooking something simple.


   

[b5blue]

Look for vacuum leaks. There is a nice write up on a modified nail head in the new Hot Rod mag out now.