doesnt sound good. BUT you may be out 180 degrees on pistons.

as 1&4 and 2&3 come up together. so every other TDC is what i call a 'ghost stroke'() or false TDC

if gasket has not had heat/run then it will be fine.

cant say the same for the bolts though!

(4x4 block anyway, dont know if swd is same?)
timing on crank pulley- there are 2 lugs about 1" apart, you want the left hand face of the left lug to line up with the mark on the block!

cams - 3 and 9 o'clock respectivly.

dizzy - tab lines up with circle punch mark on block (this is the most difficult one)

Its rare to be 180 out, as nornally the cams simply wont bolt in if its wrong, but it is possible. Also another silly mistake is mixing up the exhaust and inlet cams. the inlet cam is identified buy and oil way.

Another veriable is the hydro lifters? have you let them fill up with oil

so 1st take of rocker cover, check cam order (inlet right, ex left)

if ok then

2nd take cams out and turn engine one full revolution to gain 'True' TDC, re fit cams, then test for compression.

still no luck

3rd im afraid its head of and having a good poke around, possibly some new valves. you will know if they are bend and there will be marks on piston top.


OH YEH AND TURN THE ENGINE OVER BUY HAND!!!!!!
they are a pain in arse tho, easiers way is put car in 4th gear and rock foward. run out of room, neutral push back, then in 4th again and foward again etc!!!

dont use starter untill you have done this!!!