Is 200-210 psi normal?

[fiatsaver]

I finally got my spider together enough to drive it around the block.I still have some trim left to put on.I have rebuilt the carb and engine.It is a 2.0 L H/C pistons,1800 intake,32adfa,and efi head.I was able to get the engine to idle and choke operating as it should.It does rev slower than I want.On my drive I noticed it lacked power,I was able to spin the tires on the snow in 1st and 2nd.the timing is @ 5btc and the timing does advance(not sure how much w/ no markings)
When I pulled back into the driveway It died and would not start back up.Upon cranking I noticed fuel blowing back through the carb.So I thought maybe it had jumpped time,so I did a compression test with plugs out; #1 205psi #2 205psi #3 210psi #4 205psi.This seams high.Would I get these readings if I had used the efi cams instead of the carb cams?I remember the lobes in the car are taller than the ones I did not use.
Just thought I would ask for advice before I shelved the project for another 4 years or worse sold it
Thanks
Ray

[So Cal Mark]

sounds like the cam timing is off. Did you use the big dome pistons? Adjustable cam gears?

[fiatsaver]

The pistons are domed,9.8-1.Stock cam gears.I have had several parts cars;turbo,efi,and a couple carbed.I starting to think maybe the cams got interchanged.I did adjust all the shims to specs.The cam holes appear to be lined up on the cam towers.The crank also appears to be lined up on the pointer.I'll check again when I home from work tonight.Thanks.
Ray

[racydave]

WE have 3 compression gauges at work, 2 will give bad readings. Does it crank over easilly? Do you have any valve overlap, or at TDC are both valves barely open at the same time?

[majicwrench]

To answer you question, no, 200lb compression is not normal. As racydave noted, you may want to try a diff gauge.
Keith

[fiatsaver]

It's 4am and I think I figured it out,I hope.I checked to see at what point the valves open and close and found my intake to be 25 deg btdc and exhaust 20 deg. btdc. even though my cam holes were lined up.(wrong cam pulleys ).I set the intake cam at 5deg btdc and exhaust at 5 deg atdc as the book says. my compression is now 155psi 1-4.It started and ran smooth until I had to turn it off,did'nt want to wake the kids.Thank you all for pointing me in the right direction.I was chomping at the bit all night at work trying to plan my Fiat attack.I'll try another trip around the block when I wake up and let you know how that goes.Thanks again
Ray

[fiatsaver]

It runs great!No pinging under load.I finally wore the nubs off the rear tires . Now I need to adjust my float level and remove the efi fuel filter from under the car and install an inline one at the carb.Hey, lanciahf if you are still looking for the fuel filter bracket I'll have one you can have soon.
Thanks
Ray

[mdrburchette]

It's always great to hear when one can be fixed so easily!

[racydave]

GREAT!