Hi CNC,
Appreciate the comment but we can at least eliminate that possibility. I've become so frustrated with how it runs I've become anal about timing; the most recent (new) cam was installed next to the crankshaft correctly. I can say that because I took a picture of it before I installed the cam/crankshaft cover.
Before installing the fan onto the water pulley I made an adapter to bolt onto the vibration damper so i could rotate the engine slowing and carefully while setting the valve lash. The settings were done with the pistons exactly on TDC.
I tend to agree with you about timing, the engine is hard to start and, initially at 1500 - 2000 rpms, does not run smoothly. Once the engine warms up (3-4 minutes) the engine runs smoothly at 1,000 rpms and is immediately responsive to the throttle.
This issue will be solved, I just don't know when.
Thanks!
