Help upgrading to 1600

[jw66split]

I am trying to upgrade my 66 bus to 1600SP. I have acquired an AH case, installed new bearings and seals, pistons and cylinders. I have used the AH fan shroud and transferred all other components from my 1500 H engine including generator, distributor, carb, SP manifold and heads.
The engine is on my test bench but will not fire or start.
Have I done something fundamentally wrong or should I continue to play with valve and ignition till she goes?
Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[toddb_67]

Are you getting fuel? Spark? Air? Its usually one of those three. If I were to guess I'd say you have your timing off probably. Double check everything and let us know if you need more help.
_________________
1970 Pastel White Westfalia
1971 Super Beetle Convertible (sold) http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=582365&highlight=
1970 Squareback "Savanna" (sold)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=714683
1974 Karmann Ghia- current project, 1967cc engine. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=775207
“I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me.” - Dudley Field Malone

[jw66split]

Fuel is available, actually plugs get wet from attempting to start. Spark is present at all plugs when removed and tested. Compression is good.
I have adjusted valves after making a tool from an old plug with a bolt through it to determine TDC at no. 1. I have set timing with a lamp using mark on pully at case split 5btdc. Is it possible my timing is still way off?
Best I have got is a flame from exhaust!

[toddb_67]

What dizzy do you have? It sounds like your 180 degrees out. If you are running a 009 then you'll want to move the timing to 7.5 BTDC. Unless you put the distributor drive shaft in, and you know its right, it could be 180 out. I know I've done it!
_________________
1970 Pastel White Westfalia
1971 Super Beetle Convertible (sold) http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=582365&highlight=
1970 Squareback "Savanna" (sold)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=714683
1974 Karmann Ghia- current project, 1967cc engine. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=775207
“I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me.” - Dudley Field Malone

[Carl-Erik]

On my first engine-rebuild, I also missed the chapter in the handbook, about how to correctly put the dist. shaft in. The engine didn't start, it made wierd nioses and I thought it smelled funny to... then after a few days I got it right. I had to adjust the distributor by turning it, and move all the wires 2 steps around to get it fireing in the right order.. It's a very easy mistake to make.. I have managed to do it a few more times since.. Now when I put together engines, the distributor shaft is among the first things I put in.

And it doesn't have to be exactly 180 degrees out, if you just slotted the drive shaft down the hole.. it could be just about any number of degrees out.

So most likely that is your problem.
_________________
VW: -63 Cal-Look, Others: Citroen CX 2400 Pallas 1978

Minds are like parachutes - they only function when open.

[jw66split]

Thanks for the help.
Yes it was out by 180 degrees, while I suspected this, it took me awhile to fully understand what was wrong.
I rotated the engine by hand several times while watching the valves on cylinder no. 1. It soon became obvious that I was trying to fire on the exhaust stroke. Set the no. 1 to TDC on the FIRING stroke, reinstalled the distributor drive, readjusted the valves and she started.
I understand ignition and valve timing much better now.