Timming problem?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,992
Likes: 0
From: Henryville IN
Timming problem?
I had to take my intake off to replace a bent push rod from me missing the liter and jamming it betwwen the block and lifter. So when I got it back together it wont start now. I brought it to TDC on the compression stroke looked at the timing mark it was close to 0 and pointer the rotor to #1 plug. It acts like it wants to start but it dont. The #1 header tube is hot but all others are cold. Am I missing something here? Do I need the breather horn on to start it? Im not sure what it is at this point. Its a 1990 L98 thats giving me fits. 
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
It sounds as though the dist is off a bit, I would recheck the rotor position again with #1 at TDC on compression.
I assume the fuel rail is primed so check for spark at the other plugs.
I assume the fuel rail is primed so check for spark at the other plugs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Originally Posted by 1hot90
I had to take my intake off to replace a bent push rod from me missing the liter and jamming it betwwen the block and lifter. So when I got it back together it wont start now. I brought it to TDC on the compression stroke looked at the timing mark it was close to 0 and pointer the rotor to #1 plug. It acts like it wants to start but it dont. The #1 header tube is hot but all others are cold. Am I missing something here? Do I need the breather horn on to start it? Im not sure what it is at this point. Its a 1990 L98 thats giving me fits.
I've posted on this a few times before but, basically, you set it up wrong.
In order for the engine to fire, it needs to see some amount of timing advance.
What you want is the rotor pointer pointed at the #1 distributor cap terminal, BUT you want the damper/balancer TDC indicator mark aligned with some amount of advance on the timing chain cover timing tab NOT ZERO.
The engine will start and fire using anywhere between 6 and 12 or so degrees.
So align the TDC mark on the damper/balancer with any number between 6 and 12 on the tab and it'll fire right up. Then use your timing light (and the correct timing procedure) to set the initial timing to where you want it.
Hope this helps,
Jake
