[steve12955]

Where are you spraying starter fluid?

 

[steve12955]

Can you post a video with sound of it cranking?

 

[steve12955]

Says video is private.

Interested to hear normal cranking (eliminate compression or timing issues).

 

[steve12955]

Not trying to be an alarmist but….to me, it sounds like there’s something wrong internally. Cranking is uneven and could point to a problem with at least one cylinder. It could be a bent/stuck valve (or stuck lifter?). Or - gulp - a holed piston. I’d do a compression test.

I’d also suggest charging the battery since it’s cranking even slower than normal.

 

[steve12955]

You have nothing to lose by removing the valve cover and checking valve timing (compare cams' positions relative to crank mark at TDC). Although uncommon, timing chain may have jumped a tooth which could explain compression issue. If so, it may be moot if valve(s) made contact with piston(s) since it's an interference engine.

 

[steve12955]

If it’s the car in your profile photo, it looks to be in really nice shape - too bad. It’s worth removing the valve cover for inspection. Rotate the crank clockwise only. When the crank pulley is aligned with its mark on the timing cover, both cams’ sprocket marks should be aligned with notches on the bearing caps. If not try rotating the crank again one turn.

Do a search here for specifics on cam timing. Good luck.

 

[steve12955]

Don’t think you ever said it overheated….in that case it could be blown head gasket - in multiple locations? Warped head? Who knows? In my opinion, you need to find the cause of low compression first. Without it, it’ll never start.