[GT1966]

OK, just fired-up this 302 motor which was built from a 1987 block with World Products Windsor Jr. heads, Edelbrock RPM intake, 9.8:1 compression, Eagle rods, and a Crane Flat Tappet Hydraulic cam H-260-2. I installed my 289 stock distributor with Pertronix guts, just to eliminate too many variables. Also, I'm getting a larger carb, but using a Pony Carb Autolite 4100 480cfm for now. The motor fired right-up (amazing), but it makes zero power. The Crane spec indicates 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 firing order (of course, my idiot engine builder LOST the cam card, so I'm assuming this is the cam he installed!!). Would the engine still run if the firing order is the old 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8? I've read where the valves could be floating, which is causing the pop and occasional blast thru the carb? Also noticed number 1 header tube extremely hot (even burned thru the heat wrap to melt the #2 boot). The roller rockers appear to be adjusted correctly...no noise, but maybe too much pre-load? I've played with the timing, but it doesn't really get rid of the overall poor running. Motor won't idle; have to keep blipping the throttle. The motor basically sounds like a duga-duga-duga-duga... any help would be greatly appreciated.