No start after engine pull
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: San Angelo Texas
No start after engine pull
1990 L98 6spd, stock.
Need some suggestions here. Put the engine back together, went slow and easy, and things went together pretty well with minimal fuss. But still no start. The engine turns over strong, and I have verified a good spark. I also verified the fuel pump turns on with the key and I have 43psi at the rail with no bleed down after turning the key off. I have a strong gas smell at the exhaust and intake manifold. I also verified the timing is correct and plugs are all in the right order. The ignition system is new as are most of the sensors.
When I pulled the motor I redid all the gaskets to seal up oil leaks and replaced a worn timing chain while I was at it. I was careful not to mess up the cam timing.
I had a hard starting issue before pulling the engine. I also can't find any plugs I missed. I don't have any extras that I can find.
What else could I be missing?
Need some suggestions here. Put the engine back together, went slow and easy, and things went together pretty well with minimal fuss. But still no start. The engine turns over strong, and I have verified a good spark. I also verified the fuel pump turns on with the key and I have 43psi at the rail with no bleed down after turning the key off. I have a strong gas smell at the exhaust and intake manifold. I also verified the timing is correct and plugs are all in the right order. The ignition system is new as are most of the sensors.
When I pulled the motor I redid all the gaskets to seal up oil leaks and replaced a worn timing chain while I was at it. I was careful not to mess up the cam timing.
I had a hard starting issue before pulling the engine. I also can't find any plugs I missed. I don't have any extras that I can find.
What else could I be missing?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
You say "you were careful not mess up the timing" Did you not verify the marks on the gears? It can be of 1tooth and not start. If you have fuel and spark, it has to be timing. h[/QUOTE]
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: San Angelo Texas
Yes and yes. When the motor was pulled I rotated the timing gears so the alignment marks lined up. Put the new gears on in the same orientation. As for the spark timing I verified TDC and lined up the dizzy on #1. To verify TDC I even went so far as to pull the plug and use my inspection camera to visual check #1.
Drifting
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 31
From: Reno Nevada
Yes and yes. When the motor was pulled I rotated the timing gears so the alignment marks lined up. Put the new gears on in the same orientation. As for the spark timing I verified TDC and lined up the dizzy on #1. To verify TDC I even went so far as to pull the plug and use my inspection camera to visual check #1.
Bottomline: Your distributor is 180 degrees out.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
I have to agree with the timing being suspect. I would think at one tooth off you should at least get some backfire where 180 out would be less likely. You can make sure by pulling the LH valve cover and checking for valve movement as the timing mark comes around. If they move, your at #6 fire and #1 exhaust. No movement indicates #1 fire and #6 exhaust.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: San Angelo Texas
Thanks for the help all. Good news is the engine started right up, no leaks, no check engine light, and once the timing was set it purrs like a kitten.
Tomorrow I get to take her for a test drive and hope all stays well. It's been down for two months and I miss driving it.