valve interference problem 91 350 SDL
 

Got a big problem! Bought a 91 350 SDL really cheap from a used car dealer. It had oil in the water reservoir so I figured it had a blown head gasket. Got the new parts had the head checked and planned, put the head back on. When I tried to turn the engine over with a breaker bar on the crank-- no go, hit a solid stop. I took the cam out and the engine turns freely so I have a valve clearance problem. Will to much oil in the lifters cause this? Or am I screwed, blued and tattooed. Has anybody tried putting two head gaskets on one of these-- seems like a bad idea but I'm desperate. Any thoughts welcome. Don't know anything about this car before I got it. It is in excellent shape. I bought it cheap enough were I can part it out but really would like to get it running.

cam
 

Are you sure the cam was not installed 180 degrees off. I dont know this engine so I wont give much advice but it seems that would be the issue.

i believe it s different gaskets if engine had been rebuilt already

need head # and if it s a mb rebuild, the info tag if i recall is on bell housing near starter..

and the old info is groung off the bar in front of the injector pump.

Someone with more experience than I will surely respong, but here's a couple starters.

Two head gaskets will NOT work, don't go there.

Look at the block deck between the PS pump and IP to make sure you can see the engine number, a good indicator that your block has not been machined- it should not have been.

Not sure how successful (or even possible) decking a head is on one of these. Too many issues of clearance involved. Not to take advantage, but I have good head for sale. Others will as well.

Last, did you check piston rise above block deck to ensure no bent rods?

How much metal was removed from the head. Was it a clean up cut or for warpage? If warpage perhaps too much was removed.

If you cannot turn engine then the interference is greater than a over-machined head. I would discount that. Did you tie the sprocket to the chain when you remove the head to fix the cam position relative to the chain? I suspect the cam timing is off.

I think not.

You simply have the camshaft more than 18 degrees out of proper timing. You simply need to reset the cam to the marks relative to the crankshaft zero position.

Using the dial indicator on the #1 tappet, the crankshaft must read exactly 12°ATDC with valve open by exactly 2mm.