Rojito

A while ago I blew the motor in my 97 (piston skirt broke in the 4th cylinder). Over the next few weeks I did a full rebuild on it. I first took the block and head down to a machine shop for a bore and hone and a head rebuild. I bought a "master rebuild" kit for the engine that came with pistons, piston rings, bearings, a new camshaft, timing chain, and seals... and probably some other stuff I am forgetting. All other parts that where reused I made sure where ultrasonically cleaned before they where put back on. I also did a new flex plate while the thing was out. Once the motor was back in I redid all my broken vacuum lines (all the plastic lines). The last thing I did was check all connections, put a new battery in and prime the oil.

The time came to finally try starting it a few days ago and when I tried it just turned over and over. I first thought it was fuel related, but with a couple tests I ruled that out. Next I thought timing, which I was 180 degrees off on per the distributor. I then checked compression and all checks out in all cylinders. I then replaced all the spark plugs, the wires, the distributor cap, and the rotor, still turning over and not firing. Today I replaced the CPS and used a OBD2 reader to see if I was sending out any codes. no codes, no start. One time I heard a single fire of a cylinder, but besides that nothing. I don't know what else to check on the dumb thing. Ill attach a video of the thing just turning over but I can't tell what else to do. Any advise helps, Thanks!

OldTires

I would check that you are getting fuel at proper pressure.

Then double check the distributor. Did you align it according to the FSM procedures detailing 1 piston position and distributor at 11 oclock?

jhc7399

I had the exact same problem with mine when we replaced with a rebuild. Moved the distributor just ahead of #1 and it fired right up.

Rojito

The fuel pressure is at 50 PSI according to the O'Reilly fuel pressure gauge. Seems high but it should still fire at 50 PSI, maybe make a sound or something.

Rojito

Ill check the distributor again, maybe it is the problem.

BlueRidgeMark

Many of the spark plug wiring diagrams you see on the 'Net are wrong. They get the starting point wrong, so you may have all the plug wires one off. That ain't gonna work, but I can see it maybe firing a cylinder now and then as you describe.

The correct diagram can be found here.

cruiser54

Here:

Rojito

The spark plugs are correct, I thought about that at first but quickly ruled that out after cross referencing all the freeing order pictures I've seen.

Cherockee

Since you checked spark plugs and replaced the crank position sensor, the next thing I would check is the ASD relay. Be sure you have your 5v on injectors and that the coil is getting power. Pone easy way to narrow down this problem is to put a little dribble of gas in the throttle body. If it runs it not a timing problem or ignition problem, it's a fuel delivery problem, most likely fuel injectors not getting power or pulse signal from ECM

Rojito

Tried using starter fluid today and managed to get a backfire through the throttle body. I set the engine to top dead center and found the distributor was 180 off. Once I set it correct I tried starting again and now I am getting blowback through the TB every time. Can the timing chain be off 180 or something like that?

Rising Fawn

The timing chain can be off any number of degrees if you didn't get the orientation correct between the cam and crank.

What procedure did you use when installing the new chain as far as the timing between the cam and crank?

Rojito

So today I finally got the thing to start, the distributor was just enough off for it to not start, thanks for the help everyone!

cruiser54

Not surprised. Usually the case.