I adjusted my valves, following the directions in the manual
word for word. I was very careful and took my time. When I was done,
it started up and ran just fine. I proudly watched a smooth-running
engine for about 2-3 minutes before turning it off. But when I tried
to restart it later, it would not start. The starter just keeps
turning it over without results. The sparkplugs are like new and
correctly gapped. The distributor cap and rotor are same. What's
going on?

 

most likely your timing is off

 

but can I change the timing if the engine won't start?

 

you pulled the rocker arm assmbly to do your valves right? when you put the cam back on you probably just didnt re align the timing back up right with the block correctly when you reinstalled the cam gear.

did you put a timming light on it when you had it running after you first finished?

 

whoa, he didt actually remove the valvetrain, he just adjusted the valve lash. so he didnt take the cam out (I think).

 

all i did was remove the valve cover and adjust them...didn't know you could adjust them when they're not installed. The most confusing part is the fact that it started that first time. Do you think its possible that the valves were bent during that 2-3 minutes that the engine was running? Will they bend if you don't adjust them correctly?

 

if you messed it up really bad, it might bend them, but it would run horribly, if it ran at all.


im thinking its possible it might be some other problem. check for spark and stuff first, then maybe do a compression test to see if you messed up the adjustments.

 

how would you recommend doing the compression test? sorry i'm such a noob

 

go buy a compression tester, and follow the instructions in the haynes (or whatever manual you have) its not too difficult, but works better if you have a helper.

 

Give the fuel system the ol' once over too.