C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

vette won't start after mods

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Old Feb 9, 2005 | 08:01 PM
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Default vette won't start after mods

93 lt1 auto - well guys and gals, after completing my heads, cam, intake, header, roller rocker blah blah blah swap, the car won't start. I turns over but it won't start. I hear the fuel pump go on and i smell gas after cranking but no go. the opti only goes on one way correct? (its got an idiot proof groove or whatever you want to call it, correct?)

any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Dave
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Old Feb 9, 2005 | 08:12 PM
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Are you getting compression? when I did mine, had the rockers too tight, valves were staying open...
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Old Feb 9, 2005 | 09:10 PM
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I guess would be that the rockers are to tight or you forgot to plug something in.
First make sure EVERYTHING is pluged in.
I forgot to plug in the sensor that sit infront of the rad one time and it would not start also the coolant sensor on the water pump, if that's not pluged in, it wont start.
Pull one plug out and check it for spark. If you have spark then you most likely have the rockers to tight or even worst the cam is not set right. That's my guess.
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Old Feb 10, 2005 | 10:34 AM
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I have zero experience with the Opti but if you’re not getting spark, I recall another forum member thinking he had it installed correctly (was speaking of the same groove) but the engine would not start. When he rechecked the Opti, it was found that it was not installed correctly. FWIW.
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Old Feb 10, 2005 | 10:41 AM
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Need to start with the basics, fuel and spark. You're getting fuel obviously. Check for spark. If you have spark then I would certainly double check the rocker adjustment. If everything was new it's very possible that the lifters were completely dry. Once they recieve some oil and pump up they'll hold the valves open too much.

If there is no spark make sure that all of your connections to the opti are secure. The factory service manual provides very good diagnostics that you can walk through to pinpoint the problem.

Also, try using the stock computer chip. Make sure the car will at least start with it before swapping to the custom chip I burned for you. If the chip is bad, or installed backwards you can pull your hair out trying to find the problem when it's just that simple.
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Old Feb 10, 2005 | 10:52 AM
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Check your Roller Rocker adjustments.
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Old Feb 10, 2005 | 01:37 PM
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do you have the coil plugged in?
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Old Feb 10, 2005 | 01:53 PM
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Before going to deep into it, stay with the basics as suggested above. Fuel and spark. A quick check with a noid light to see the ECM is pulsing the injectors IF you have fire at the plugs wouldn't hurt. If all that checks and no ECM codes, then it's probably mechanical.
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Old Feb 10, 2005 | 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by 87SAM
I have zero experience with the Opti but if you’re not getting spark, I recall another forum member thinking he had it installed correctly (was speaking of the same groove) but the engine would not start. When he rechecked the Opti, it was found that it was not installed correctly. FWIW.
I don't see how you could get that on wrong. Mine had dowel pins and there is only one way it will go on.
Judt do what Nathan says and work your way thru it. You may get lucky and find it right away. But most times it's the last thing that works
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Old Feb 10, 2005 | 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted by fsr402
But most times it's the last thing that works
Well I don't know about you but for me it's ALWAYS the last thing that works.

"You find that problem yet?"

"Yeah but I'm still looking for it..."

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Old Feb 11, 2005 | 08:42 AM
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I also remember the post where a forum member installed the OPTI wrong-don't have one, so don't know-just what he said.
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Old Feb 11, 2005 | 02:32 PM
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I had trouble firing my up when I replaced the cap&rotor on my late model opti, it wasn't seated right.
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Old Feb 14, 2005 | 09:00 PM
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i also installed one of those moisture eliminator kits...don't tell me that may have something to do with it?
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Old Feb 14, 2005 | 09:52 PM
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The number one reason I see early LT1 car for a no start is the opti not being splined correctly.

After some wear happens the shaft will spline in any of the locations being any where from one spline to 180* out.

Best way to check is with a mirror

A dead give away on this is that you have BOTH fuel AND spark but the car will not start

Good luck!
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Old Feb 19, 2005 | 10:12 AM
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i have fuel and spark....checked the spark with one of those things you put on the plug and see the spark and checked the fuel with a guage (pressure was right according to the book)

how do i check the opti? stupid me put everything together including antifreeze and water and the only way i see of getting at it is to pull the wp.
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Old Feb 19, 2005 | 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by VictorRussell'92
Check your Roller Rocker adjustments.
Did you do this?
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Old Feb 19, 2005 | 10:25 AM
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not yet...the springs are compressing and decompressing as the engine turns so i'm doubting they're overtightened...

i have a feelings its got to do with the opti/timing

when i was cranking it, a fireball came out of the intake...
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Old Feb 19, 2005 | 10:34 AM
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Originally Posted by BlackRoseLT1
not yet...the springs are compressing and decompressing as the engine turns so i'm doubting they're overtightened...

i have a feelings its got to do with the opti/timing

when i was cranking it, a fireball came out of the intake...
Yes they will but that does not mean that its right. If you adjusted them dry with no oil pumped up they are to tight. From starting it over and over you should have pumped oil up, try starting over with the rocker adjustment. Thats a good place to start after doing those mods.
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Old Feb 19, 2005 | 11:22 AM
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will doing only one side help?...not looking forward to pulling that alternator support

how do i pump oil up?
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Old Feb 19, 2005 | 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by BlackRoseLT1
will doing only one side help?...not looking forward to pulling that alternator support

how do i pump oil up?

The easiest way is to check compression first. If you have a rocker that is too tight there will be considerably less compression or no compression in that particular hole. However the fireball issue concerns me because that is a sign that the timing is waaaay out, and that means the perhaps the Opti is incorrectly indexed.
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