Had my 1.8 zetec running fine but decided to change the cams for 130bhp escort ones.

Now the car won't start doesn't even cough.

Turning over fine, cams seem quiet, have turned it over without plugs to prime with oil.

Am 99% sure I have set the cams and crank at the right position. (You can never be 100%)

I have spark and fuel to the carbs, one strange thing is before the change the fuel pump stopped pumping once it had built up pressure now it just keeps going.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated before I get a new fuel pump to see if the issues are related.

Cheers

Ian

I would check the cam timing again. If that's OK, check you've connected the fuel lines the right way round, etc., and there's not something blocking the lines - have you got a fuel pressure gauge you can put on to check that it's building up the right pressure?

Cheers


Vince

Put the cams in the wrong way round? They fit perfectly but the engine won't run even though everything seems perfect. Thankfully they don't destroy the valves when you do it.
How do I know? Senior moment! Look for the timing nob at the back of the inlet cam.

Will check the fuel lines see if thats the problem.

Timing knob is next to the sensor so pretty sure there the right way round ( although now I am going to take the cover off to double check)

Thanks for your advice, any other suggestions appreciated.

Ian

Is it solid cam buckets (did you check valve clearnace) or hydraulic ( do they need decompressing/emptying of oil).?????

Hydraulic cam buckets, I was advised to disconnect fuel and remove plugs and spin the engine for a reasonable length of time to get the oil back into them.

Might be worth trying a compression test.

If the cams are in and timed up right with the bar along the ends it isnt the cams mate. Its a straight forward swap. U will just need to retard the inlet cam a few degrees from memory otherwise they take forever to come on power.