Help! '86 won't start
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: What did the 5 fingers say to the face? SLAP!!
Help! '86 won't start
I pulled the intake off my '86 last week to fix a vacuum leak. Now that it's back together again, it won't fire. It cranks and cranks, but not even a cough or sputter. I have 45psi at the fuel rail and the noid light shows that the injectors(4 months old) are getting power. I'm getting spark at the plug. Some people have suggested timing, but I don't care if it's 180 deg out of time, it will still pop and sputter. I get absolutely nothing. Any suggestions on what to look at next? Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,699
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From: The Black Hole LA
Only three things are needed
fuel
fire
air
All at the right "Time"
Other than that only thing I can think of is the vacuum hoses. I pulled the intake off my '86 I used to have one time and screwed up the vacuum hoses putting it back on and it wouldn't run. I did also just recently have an issue with setting my rockers to tight and my '90 wouldn't start, but you didn't mess with those so thats not an issue.
fuel
fire
air
All at the right "Time"
Other than that only thing I can think of is the vacuum hoses. I pulled the intake off my '86 I used to have one time and screwed up the vacuum hoses putting it back on and it wouldn't run. I did also just recently have an issue with setting my rockers to tight and my '90 wouldn't start, but you didn't mess with those so thats not an issue.
Last edited by hz900; Mar 27, 2006 at 05:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,167
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From: What did the 5 fingers say to the face? SLAP!!
Originally Posted by hz900
Only three things are needed
fuel
fire
air
All at the right "Time"
fuel
fire
air
All at the right "Time"
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 848
Likes: 1
From: 1992 LT1 6 speed Cayman Islands
Originally Posted by flyersfan1088
The distributor went back in the same orientation that it came out. Just for kicks I'm going to start over with TDC and make sure it's right. But like I said, even if it was 180 out, it would still make SOME kind of noise.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
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From: What did the 5 fingers say to the face? SLAP!!
Originally Posted by Jerris
Not so if you have the timing so retarded that it is fireing when the piston is almost all the way down on the compression stroke but the intake or exhaust valves are not open, you will get nothing as everything is working properly, only so far down on the stroke that it is just not producing any power to run the engine.
Wouldn't the cylinder eventually fill with enough fuel to ignite? I know the engine wouldn't run, but wouldn't it sputter?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: What did the 5 fingers say to the face? SLAP!!
Originally Posted by jfb
Break out your timing light and make it pay for itself !!! 
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
I'm gonna agree that its a timing problem. I would start back at the beginning. Get yourself set back up at TDC and then use the timing light. At least if your at TDC the car should fire up.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: richardson tx
Originally Posted by flyersfan1088
The car needs to idle before a timing light will be of any use
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 848
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From: 1992 LT1 6 speed Cayman Islands
Originally Posted by flyersfan1088
Wouldn't the cylinder eventually fill with enough fuel to ignite? I know the engine wouldn't run, but wouldn't it sputter?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 764
Originally Posted by hz900
Only three things are needed
fuel
fire
air
All at the right "Time"
Other than that only thing I can think of is the vacuum hoses. I pulled the intake off my '86 I used to have one time and screwed up the vacuum hoses putting it back on and it wouldn't run. I did also just recently have an issue with setting my rockers to tight and my '90 wouldn't start, but you didn't mess with those so thats not an issue.
fuel
fire
air
All at the right "Time"
Other than that only thing I can think of is the vacuum hoses. I pulled the intake off my '86 I used to have one time and screwed up the vacuum hoses putting it back on and it wouldn't run. I did also just recently have an issue with setting my rockers to tight and my '90 wouldn't start, but you didn't mess with those so thats not an issue.
let's see, he has fuel, he has fire, and unless he's living in outer space, he has air, so i agree with you, its a timing thing. sounds to me its 180-out -
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: What did the 5 fingers say to the face? SLAP!!
Well, you guys were right. Even though the rotor was pointing in EXACTLY the same position when I reinstalled the distributor (and the car started and ran with no problems BEFORE I took it out), the timing was a full 90 deg off. I guess I just like to over-complicate things. It is SO nice to hear this car make noise again after collecting dust for the last 2 months in the garage. Thanks guys, I appreciate it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 848
Likes: 1
From: 1992 LT1 6 speed Cayman Islands
Congrats This is exactly as I discribed in my post above.
At 90* off the poston is at BDC with the valves closed, hence no popping etc.
Now go drive it and have some fun.
This is exactly as I discribed in my post above. At 90* off the poston is at BDC with the valves closed, hence no popping etc.
Now go drive it and have some fun.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Originally Posted by flyersfan1088
The car needs to idle before a timing light will be of any use
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,408
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From: Dayton, Ohio
I'm glad the car is running and back on the road. A few years ago, when I 1st joined the forum, one of the threads that stood out was one where a guy did the manifold R+R and also had probs restarting. He traced it to an oil pressure sensor that had gone bad. Apparently, if the computer doesn't read enough oil pressure then it won't let the thing start.
- 1986 Original Owner -
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: North Yorkshire, England
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Originally Posted by corvette_bob
Apparently, if the computer doesn't read enough oil pressure then it won't let the thing start.
Last edited by Ray Quayle; Mar 29, 2006 at 12:41 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
Well, steves problem is solved-I didn't respond because I would have said the same things-timing. But wow Ray, lets help Bob out with his thinking. Bob, steve had fuel, but lets say he didn't, the FP relay energizes the FP, if it's shot then the oil pressure switch comes into play, and will provide energy to the FP after engine cranking oil pressure reaches 4 pounds-if you still don't have fuel you can apply 12 volts in the ALDL which will energize the FP-if it's not bad, can't remember the pin right now-but no matter-trouble shooting flow chart tells which pin. 
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,408
Likes: 13
From: Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by Ray Quayle
Bob, I'll let the others take you through the ins and outs, but suffice it to say, that with respect to Steve's '86, this is just WRONG!
That's OK guys,Ain't no busted cherries here! I've been wrong before. Just ask my wife. I knew when I posted it that it that there was not much chance of it applying the this '86. My reasoning was that he had everything else, why not the OPS? The biggest reason why not is that he'd had it all apart. With spark, air and fire, he shoulda been running. So it was more than likely the timing. BUT, since that had already been WELL covered by all of you guys, I was only attempting to pass along what I'd read right here on the forum, in '01.
Also as well pointed out by Rick, there is a series of events that take place in order for the OPS to come into play. Once again, my Half-century old, gas soaked brain missed on this.
I got no problem with saying I missed the boat (as usual), I appreciate you guys taking the time to give me the correct explanation.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by corvette_bob
Apparently, if the computer doesn't read enough oil pressure then it won't let the thing start.
WRONG!!!
How come people only read and remember the incorrect threads? Spend a few moments with your FSM and learn how it works.
RACE ON!!!