HO conversion DONE......car won't start. Scott?

[Mercracer]

However, the piston will make pressure on BOTH compression and exhaust stroke, this why you need to have the valve cover off to watch the valve movement, so you can see which stroke you're on.

I personally find no need to pull a valve cover. I don't know about you, but I can tell the difference between the compressin stroke and the exhaust stroke if I stick my finger in the spark plug hole while cranking the motor over. Those who can't should pull the valve cover off.

[89LincolnTWNcar]

makes sense if you hold your hand over the exhaust exit in the head and a little air comes out that must be the exhaust stroke.

[Chevyguy]

makes sense if you hold your hand over the exhaust exit in the head and a little air comes out that must be the exhaust stroke.

The puff is pretty obvious as the air has nowhere to go on the compression stroke. The exhaust stroke has the open valve to let the air out.