[Dren]

i tried to start her for the first time last night and no luck. it turns over just fine and it started firing the first time but wouldn't catch. after that no firing.

I double and tripple checked the plug wires to make sure they were in the right place. The distributor can only go on one way (I think) so it shouldn't be able to be 180 degrees off right? The rotor and cap are new and the plug wires are new along with the plugs.

I set the crank timing with the one dash mark lined up to the "sight" on the belt cover. The cam on my Z6 head was set with a true-time cam gear. The marks on the sides of the gear were set even with the top of the head. This set-up was half a tooth off so I had to rotate the crank slightly to get the belt to match up.

I have an adjustable FPR installed and didn't check the pressure but will do that today.

The O2 sensor was not hooked up but the ECU wasn't throwing any codes. I don't think the engine uses the O2 sensor when it starts because it gives a 0 volt reading when cold. Either way I will install this before trying to start her again.

I was also trying to start the car with the cat back not connected.

I plan to connect up the cat back system, and hook up the O2 sensor, but I figured the car should have at least started up.

I double checked the grounds. I will check for spark tonight but since it was firing initially i figured there was spark.

Even if the cam gear is off a tooth or so shouldn't the car still start?

Any suggestions before I start to trouble shoot would be helpful and save some time. Thanks

Nick

 

[ryan_long_01]

The distributor can only go on one way (I think) so it shouldn't be able to be 180 degrees off right?

While I can't tell you for sure what distributor he used, when we did a mini-me swap on my buddy's DX a couple of years ago that was exactly the problem when we tried to fire it up...I'd double-check it even if you don't think it's possible (which for your setup may be correct).

Ryan

 

[downest]

I talked to you this morning over AIM... but I'll post anyway. If it's 180 off the dizzy will rotate a little bit off-axis, it will be obvious when you see it (I did this the other day).

 

[Dren]

yeah it wasn't the distributor, i tried putting it in 180 and it wouldn't fit, it was cocked a little when i tried shoving it in there

well i messed with the car for a few hours

it runs now, but only when i get on the gas, it tries to idle at 250 rpms but just dies. i need somebody else to stay on the gas while i twist the distributor and try to get her running better.

the freakin fuel pressure gauge the guy at advance sold me doesn't work for hondas even though i asked him before i bought it. so i am blindly adjusting my FPR, but it doesn't seem to change much when i do.

i want to use my timing light but the car won't idle long enough for me to use it.

it isn't throwing any codes. i hooked everything up. i'm going to check my vacuum lines tomorrow but they look fine. the idle control deal on the back of the mani is plugged in.

any other ideas?

 

[Dren]

i got the summmama bitch running finally. it sorta idles, really low, but it idles. boy is it fun getting used to the light weight flywheel. i've stalled the **** out of it several times now. the new suspension is rediculous, i'm gonna kill myself now!

is there a way to adjust your idle rpm? i was messing with the vacuum lines. i took out the charcoal canister, should i cover where that vacuum hose goes in? when i do that the engine dies when it's trying to idle. also i have it all the way advanced, not 100% sure my cam timing is point on but i'm guessing it's close.

 

[ollie]

Ok dren I read what you wrote and realized that you forgot to mention one thing.
Did you adjust the valve lash after installing the mini-me setup?
This can have a vast impact on the running of the engine.
Try adjusting the valves then restart her.

Just in case you didnt know:
(The manual calls it valve clearance,but we know)
Do the adjustment on a cold engine
Using the marks on the cam gear line the "lines" up even with the head surface,also the "up" should be just that facing up.
Loosen the jam nuts on the rockers.With the engine now at TDC adjust the valves to Cylinder #1(Int:.007-.009)(exh:.009-.011).
Now rotate the crank 180CCW and adjust #3 cyl rockers,then rotate the crank 180 again adjust #4,then rotate 180 again the #2 cyl last.
Oh and dont forget to tighten the jam nuts(dont ask me how I know. :lol: )
let me know if that helps.

Just so you remember the sequence of cylinders 1,3,4,2

 

[Dren]

^thanks a lot man, i didn't mess with the valve settings at all. the cam timing is damn near point on and when i use my timing light it is very close to being on (it's advanced).

any word on the low idle? i'm talking 250rpms or so. it's like it wants to try and idle at 1k but drops down to 250 almost instantly.

i'll adjust the valves and see what happens.

 

[Dren]

you're the man ollie, that was the problem. now it starts right up and idles along at 750rpms.

 

[ollie]

b