Long time Lurker, 1st time poster.
What I have, What I did.
1.) 65 Dart non-runner, water in oil. Fueled Carb, hit starter, ran like a champ till the bowl emptied.
Replaced head as it was cracked between the valves on #5
2.) New head... fueled carb. No start. No backfire, no glimmer of hope.

Any common mistakes in head replacement that would be the first place to look?
Thanks all in advance.

Glad to have you here!

My all time favorite was when I didn't plug the distributor back into the harness.

Do you have some more info about what you disconnected, what parts you used, valve lash, and so forth?

CJ

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

Thanks! I've lurked for hours to find an answer but to no avail.
In interest of brevity I work under the pretense of "if it aint broke, don't fix it", thus since it ran prior to removal, I simply pulled the old and on with the "new". a reman unit that required the rocker arms from old head to be placed on new head. No attempt at valve lash. Engine was undisturbed so Timing is not suspected to be an issue.
What I've suspected...
ECU not grounded to fenderwell
Carter BBS vacuum leak
weak spark
incorrect wiring
Mechanic replacing head, took running engine and put new parts on it to
create boat anchor.

Well, lets see if we can avoid the boat anchor!

I'm sure you've checked the items in your list. Or at least I hope that's the case!

Not a pop? Got fuel? Got spark?

The valve lash is really important. Cold set it to make sure your close. Allow 1 or 2 thousandths for cold. There is a lot of variation in heads, even stock. If something has been cut off the head you put on there, you may not be closing the valves at all.

No matter how much I complicate things when I first start up, it's the simple stuff that gets me.

CJ

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

Whoops. Did you say ECU?

What year is your engine?

CJ

_________________
Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

Its a mongrel. Engine has a 68 date on the block and the hobbed up wiring and 4 prong ballast is someones obvious upgrade to electronic ignition.
Simple enough to set the lash I suppose.
I noted the valves in movement before I put the cover on, but otherwise followed (Chilton manual) installation to a T.
Got spark, got fuel. (leaky throttle shaft bushing on the Carter though)
but no pop, no backfire, no satisfying chuff even.
Off to read up on the valve lash for now!