Hey guys. Some of you may have seen my posting a few weeks ago about my purchased rebuilt motor that wouldn't idle. I Changed out the MAP sensor and fixed that problem but only to find out that a cam gear was bent. I didn't really have much time to fix it so I had some one who I TRUSTED (notice the past tense) to take care of changing the gear for me and putting it back together. Well when time came to test it (I still had the timing cover off to inspect it), I inspected the timing marks and everything lined up. I fired it up only to be greeted by the loudest clanking my car has ever made. Even when I threw a rod bearing it wasn't that loud. I immediately shut it off not wanting to cause more damage. Well after some staring and thinking, I realized that the crank marks lined up right but it wasn't at TDC for piston #1. I turned it a full revolution and THEN piston #1 was at TDC. Now i've read some posting that say that the car wouldn't start if the timing was off by 180 degrees but I beg to differ. The car definitely started but not in a way i'd like it to. I immediately thought i'd bent some valves but thought it was worth a shot to put it in time and try again. I did and the car ran "smoother" but the noise was still very much present. It immediately revved to around 3,000rpms so I turned it off after like 3 seconds. Well a few cuss words later, I started pulling off the head. I was so looking forward to seeing some bent valves so I would at least know what was wrong and could actually get some sleep at night. Well the pistons and valves looked brand new without a single scratch on them. I am completely clueless as to what is wrong and at my wits end with this car. I am so close to just giving up and I ALWAYS finish what I start. I guess my question is could the valves be damaged interally (hitting against the guides/seals) where I can't see it and cause a loud noise like this??? I don't think so but i'm not sure. I'm going to take the head to a machine shop and have them inspect the head but it looks brand new! Any info or comments are more than welcome and needed. Thanks Guys!!!