This may sound like a stupid question but how exactly is the timing chain supposed to be installed? I mean the markings on the gears pointing in which direction and all the slightest details. I posted the thread about not being able to run my cleveland after a rebuild. If for some reason I had the small gear (cam gear) 180o off will this cause the problems I am noticing now or will it not start period? If you read that post I am getting ready to just tear the water pump out and start from scratch at the timing chain. Will this do me any good or should I leave the chain alone for now? Another thing I just thought about. How will fouled pluggs affect the engine? Can this be my problem as well? Can fouled plugs be repaired and reused? If so, how do I clean or repair them for reuse?

 

You could try sand blasting the plugs. Depending on the age of them they might come back. Just make sure you get all the sand out from around the insulator.
The timing gear marks, cam gear dot down, crank gear dot up. The cam gear will be 180 off every other time around bc it's bigger than the cam gear.

 

Thanks mark a. I think I will try that out this weekend. Just to make sure everything is the way it should. I have a feeling its something simple problem is I don't know what it is hehehehehe.