Changed Head Gasket, engine won't start !

[john279]

I've carefully changed my Head Gasket, but engine won't start.

Have done this before in 2009, all went ok and it started ok back then.


Engine blew last year.

-Head skimmed
-Cam shaft & crank shaft set at correct points before assembly.
-Engine turning over
-Spark is present & reaching spark plugs
-think fuel is getting to Carburettor (checked pipe between fuel pump & carb after turning over engine)


Any suggestions on diagnosing further ?

Any experts in Brighton area ?

Thanks


Note: car is 1988 Micra K10 1 litre GSX Automatic

 

[frank]

dizzy 180 deg out maybe ? try swapping plugleads 1 and 4 and see if it fires on 2 cyl

 

[john279]

dizzy 180 deg out maybe ? try swapping plugleads 1 and 4 and see if it fires on 2 cyl

I hadn't removed any leads on Distributor, all leads remained in place when I removed it to do head gasket change. Distributor went back in same position as I marked it in relation to base.


Eventually got engine to start, although still not tuned properly.

Replaced car battery. Found that my Type 054 car battery was knackered, didn't expect that as I bought it in 2014, although it had been sitting out in open for last year. Not sure why it didn't start with my other old spare battery which turned over engine.


But with new car battery, engine started without too much difficulty.


Then found it wouldn't idle properly, was difficult to start when warmed-up, would cut out when driving and car stopped somewhere.

So decided to change Condenser which helped with starting, but car was still not idling properly.

So turned Throttle Stop Screw on carburettor 3/4 turn clockwise to increase idle speed which has helped a lot.

Then checked tuning, points Dwell Angle was ok at 50 deg, timing was 12.5 deg BTDC, so turned distributor anti-clockwise to adjust timing to 5 deg BTDC (using settings from Haynes manual).


Car is starting, but not as smartly & smooth as should be, particularly when engine is warm, so something is still not right in tuning.
Don't think the idling is quite right either.


Any suggestions on tuning ?

Thanks


Note: car is 1988 Micra K10 1 litre GSX Automatic

 

[john279]

Car can be difficult to start when warm.

Any suggestions on what problem is ?