very odd problem

[Bullyboy]

Distributor out 180 degrees?
Definitely something to do with timing for it to have spark on 2 cyl.
I would check to see if the valves were opening in time with the rotor postion on the distributor.

[wrenchnride247]

The cam could be bolted to the gear out of index (180 out). If they ran the engine before you got it there should be carbon in ALL the exhaust ports (did you check this when you got the engine). This is a strange problem you have . Something will "rear it's ugly head" sooner or later.

[judgie]

i got the car after engine had been installed and run, owner could not get it running right so brought it to me to sort out.
spoke to the engine builder last night in the states, who insisted that it was a leaking header that was the problem, then told me to put bigger jets in the carbs and it would be ok. went quite when i told him i had fitted a pair of 40 dells of another engine and had the same problems.
cheers rob

[wrenchnride247]

I hate to say it, but teardown time (at least the top end). Then you can see the cam through the cylinder spigots, might find other problems along the way.