I replaced the head gasket on my B20E after blowing it last week.

I carefully and slowly reassembled everything this afternoon.
After installing everything and connecting up the distributor, carb, and wires, the car will not fire up. Except for an ocassional soft pop, it gives no indication that it wants to start.

To check the problem I've pulled, cleaned and re-gapped the sparks (.030). I've checked that there is spark coming through all four spark plug wires and from the coil. I'ce checked the condition of the cap and rotor, I've checked that there is fuel being pumped into the carbs and that there is fuel in the carbs. I've even tried reversing the wires to match the listed firing order.

Still, the car just cranks and cranks...

The only thing I can think of that might be causing problems is that I cleaned the inside of the combustion chambers with a wire wheel. I vacuumed the head thoroughly afterwards and poured some clean oil through the head.

I managed to recover 155 psi in the #1 cylinder, but #4 now has no compression. I noted before that the physical condition of the cylinders are good with no scoring, lipping, or signs of mechanical damage.

Add to all this, is that the weather just went steeply downhill and it's raining ice right now...


Configuration - Carburated B20E, Dual SU HIF6s, B18 Distributor with Crane ignition, NGK Plugs, Magnacore Plug Wires. It all worked and ran well before I pulled the head and replaced the head gasket.