1998 Chevy 3500 7.4 no start

1998 Chevy, Silverado, 3500, 7.4, vin J, 443-883-6719
Hello Scanner, found your website Jan 22, 2021, watched your videos and was highly impressed . You have extensive automotive knowledge but I have problem that leaves me dumbfounded. I rebuilt the 7.4 engine and now it wont start. Has new distributor, icm, plugs, wires, injectors, crank sensor, etc.....
I have spark, fuel pressure (60 psi)(new pump), good fuses, good relays and pulse at injectors. All grounds seem to be good and active. I have fire at all the correct places but the engine still wont start. The only item left to replace is the ECM. I am a retired diesel mechanic as of 2010 so I am not new to the mechanics field. Any ideas?

did you get the distributor 180 out? it happens..... also how tight did you put the rocker arms on assembly? if you have a in cylinder pressure transducer or a compression test gauge I would test compression to see for sure.

Timing good. On valves, I soaked in oil overnight to prime and installed. Tightened rocker arm to touch plus 1/4 -1/2 turn on nut corresponding to intake and exhaust rotation. Did not check compression due to rebuild. Engine did "hit" a few times but not start. Today I will start at the beginning of TDC on #1 and recheck everything, including compression. I am missing something and whatever it is, it will be minor. I will repost with results after I finish. I have about 6 hairs left to spare on this particular engine before I am completely bald. lol

Do you have power or control at the injectors?
Does it start on starting fluid or propane?

I have both power and pulse at injectors. Gasoline, not propane. Had issue come up yesterday so I did not have time to get back on truck. Talked to friend of mine and he said that the plugs may have become "washed". I have never heard of that before but according to him, after continuous cranking without starting, the plugs will not fire. He suggested replacing with the old ones or new ones. He is one of the best mechanics I know but he is old school, 73 yrs old, and not really up on all of the new electronic stuff. I am close, just need to get to the goal post.

Will not start using starting fluid.

lwitcher wrote: Talked to friend of mine and he said that the plugs may have become "washed". I have never heard of that before but according to him, after continuous cranking without starting, the plugs will not fire. He suggested replacing with the old ones or new ones. He is one of the best mechanics I know but he is old school, 73 yrs old, and not really up on all of the new electronic stuff.

Your friend may be spot on. Every engine cycle (4 strokes), the the cylinder is getting fuel whether it combusts, or not. Without combustion, the cylinder becomes flooded/washed with gas. The spark plugs may be wet, preventing proper firing. Also, the fuel can "wash" the cylinders. The cylinder walls, normally have a layer of oil that aid in compression. When the fuel washes this layer away, compression can fall below the threshold of combustibility.

I would pull the spark plugs and make sure that they are clean and dry. While the spark plugs are out, I would squirt a bit of oil, directly, into each cylinder. The oil will re-coat the cylinder walls, and restore compression. (When it starts, it will be very smokey while the excess oil burns off.)