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| Engine cranks, backfires, but does not start; Engine cranks, backfires, but does not start | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 19 2011, 11:48 PM (5,149 Views) | |
| jadelao | Apr 19 2011, 11:48 PM Post #1 |
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[Just want to mention that this is a '93 engine swapped into a '91 car. I'm using the original intake, TBI, and distributor] One problem we have noted is that the push-on connection at the starter sucks (we have to jiggle it to get the starter to work). The real problem we are having is that the engine cranks but is backfiring. We brought number 1 piston to top dead center and verified the timing mark to be at zero degrees. We verified the rotor is pointing at 6 o'clock. We then cranked the engine with a timing light and the mark shows to be within specification. Even after checking all of that, it still backfires. We loosened the distributor adjustment and turned it clockwise so that the number 1 plug is pointing closer to 6 o'clock. After that, we noticed that it wanted to fire. Cannot figure out why it is still backfiring (it is acting like a V8 would if the distributor was off 180 degrees). Any ideas? Suggestions? Edited by jadelao, Apr 19 2011, 11:54 PM.
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| mcmancuso | Apr 19 2011, 11:55 PM Post #2 |
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After my last rebuild my engine did this, turned out I had reversed the 2nd and 3rd spark plug wires. If its backfiring either this is your problem or you've got the cam timing wrong. #1 plug wire connection on the distributor should be facing straight up, if you're using the haynes manual, ignore the diagram its wrong. |
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| mcmancuso | Apr 19 2011, 11:58 PM Post #3 |
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Plug wires should look like this:![]() on the distributor #1 at the top, #2 at the back bottom, and #3 at the lower front, take the distributor cap off and be sure the distributor rotor is facing up toward the #1 plug point when the engine is at TDC. Edited by mcmancuso, Apr 20 2011, 12:09 AM.
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| jadelao | Apr 20 2011, 12:02 AM Post #4 |
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#1 on the distributor cap is pointing at 4 o'clock right now. We did go from the Haynes manual. So it sounds like we need to rotate the wires counterclockwise on the cap. |
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| mcmancuso | Apr 20 2011, 12:10 AM Post #5 |
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I colorified the image above for better viewing
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| jadelao | Apr 20 2011, 12:16 AM Post #6 |
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Thanks for the reply, mcmancuso. Not sure I understand. We brought #1 piston to the top, the timing mark showed to be at zero degrees, and the rotor is pointing at 6 o'clock. Your saying that the rotor should be at 12 o'clock. How do we get it to 12 o'clock? |
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| mcmancuso | Apr 20 2011, 12:19 AM Post #7 |
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If the engine really is at TDC, then your cam is 180° off, you have to take off the timing belt, rotate the cam 180° and put the timing belt back on... confirm your crank is really at TDC by taking the #1 spark plug out and drop a pencil in the cylinder, be sure the piston is all the way up. You can also confirm the cam is in the correct position by taking off the valve cover and look to see if both the valves on the #1 cylinder are closed(cam lobes are both facing up, away from the lifters). There is a timing mark on the cam pulley, it should be pointing up, facing at the notch on the top edge of the valve cover. The cam pulley may have 2 marks, be sure you use the mark thats 180° from the cam alignment pin at the center under the cam bolt. Edited by mcmancuso, Apr 20 2011, 12:23 AM.
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| jadelao | Apr 20 2011, 12:31 AM Post #8 |
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As a reminder, this is a '93 engine swap into a '91 car. I used the original intake, TBI, and distributor. The original ('91) distributor was installed into the newer ('93) engine so that the rotor was pointing in the same direction. Also, we did take the #1 plug out and used a screwdriver to verify that the piston was at the top. |
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| mcmancuso | Apr 20 2011, 12:32 AM Post #9 |
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Timing belt setup should look like this:![]() timing marks and cam alignment pin emphasized in red. And the distributor rotor should be pointing straight up toward #1 spark plug post on the dist. Edited by mcmancuso, Apr 20 2011, 12:36 AM.
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| mcmancuso | Apr 20 2011, 12:40 AM Post #10 |
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If your engine had a 5 bolt crank pulley see above, if it had a 4 bolt it looks a little different, but lines up the same. The 4 bolt looks more like this: ![]()
Edited by mcmancuso, Apr 20 2011, 12:49 AM.
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| mcmancuso | Apr 20 2011, 12:43 AM Post #11 |
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Here's what the cam should look like when the engine is at TDC:![]() ignore the "gap" thing there, just look at the cam lobe position. Rotor should be facing approximately where the red arrow is in this pic: ![]() I'm off for the night, good luck! Edited by mcmancuso, Apr 20 2011, 12:51 AM.
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| jadelao | Apr 20 2011, 12:56 AM Post #12 |
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Thanks for all your time and feedback, mcmancuso. I appreciate it! It looks like I have a lot of homework for tomorrow. I will double check everything you highlighted in the pictures and go from there. I will reply with any new developments. Thanks again! |
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| Jittney | Apr 20 2011, 12:59 AM Post #13 |
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Anchorage 92 XFi
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tune in tomorrow, folks, for 'the rest of the story'
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| bogs | Apr 20 2011, 01:25 AM Post #14 |
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Duct tape heals all wounds
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Mcm, you were supposed to go to bed ! Good luck Jad
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| mcmancuso | Apr 20 2011, 11:53 AM Post #15 |
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Another thing I remembered now that I'm awake, remember the crank does 2 rotations for every 1 of the cam, so when the crank is at the 0° mark on the timing cover, the cam can be straight up or straight down, either is a viable position. Sorry if you already pulled it apart and rotated it just turn the crank 1 rotation and that should point the cam up. I think your issue is the spark plug order also set the distrubutor near the center of its range of movement for initial firing up, then set the timing at 8° with a timing light.
Edited by mcmancuso, Apr 20 2011, 11:55 AM.
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just turn the crank 1 rotation and that should point the cam up. I think your issue is the spark plug order
9:35 AM Jul 11