[inex01]

Originally Posted by Bob Johnson

I just installed a rebuilt short block. It did not have the power I thought it should have. One of the tests I did was to short out each spark plug one at a time while the engine was at idle. Shorting out plugs 1 or 2 would slow the engine down a little. Shorting out 3 or 4 would cause the engine to stop.

The short block is a complete rebuild. 0.040 under pistons, new babbitt, new valves, adjustable lifter, reground cam, Snyder 5.5 head. The carburetor and distributor are from the old engine, which ran good.

I have checked the following;
Compression -- 85-90
Timing -- Spot on
Valve timing -- Cyl 1 and 4 have almost identical valve timing profiles.
Manifold leaks -- Check intake and exhaust NO Leaks
Spark plugs -- New plugs, swaped them 3<>2, 1<>4 no difference
Distributor -- I set timing to 180 off and swapped spark plug wires 1<>4, 2<>3 no difference

I am out of ideas. Do you have any?

Bob

It may just need to be run in, My rebuild engine did not come alive till 400 miles and really turned on around 1500 s most likely it is just tight.