Finally re-assembled my engine after changing the head gasket.

I was impressed with myself when the car started!

That didn't last long though, as I realised there was no power and a clanky irregular idle. Hit the gas and it'd stop. Thinking about the ignition timing, I twisted the distributor either way, but now it won't start - puffing at times out the exhaust and nearly catching...

I reckon I might need to slip the cambelt along a notch one way or the other, and I plan to try this tomorrow. Does all this sound familiar to anyone?

ALSO

The cambelt is riding on the very edge of the cam sprocket, perhaps a shade over - think I should worry about it??

Cheers guys

Chuck

Edited 29 June, 200719 yr by Chuck Yoghurt

Who didnt mark the distributor position before removing it? If you can remember roughly where it was,that'll be enough to get it running fairly smoothly. Check the HT leads are the right way round,aswell. As for the cam timing,you'd have to be three notches out for it not to run. Re-align the crank to the mark,and then adjust the cam sprocket if needed. Then report here what's going on..

Who didnt mark the distributor position before removing it? If you can remember roughly where it was,that'll be enough to get it running fairly smoothly. Check the HT leads are the right way round,aswell. As for the cam timing,you'd have to be three notches out for it not to run. Re-align the crank to the mark,and then adjust the cam sprocket if needed. Then report here what's going on..

ok well the distributor is where it was before give or take a mm either way.

The timing belt could possibly be a tooth out perhaps two but no way three.

What's going on then? Now i'm nervous!

And the HT leads? Top front 1,top rear 2,bottom front 3,bottom rear 4. As for timing belt adjustment,that takes one minute - line the lower wheel up and you'll be able to see if the upper one is lined up properly,or if its slightly to one side or other. If it is,just slip the belt off the wheel by working at it with your fingers,turn the sprocket,and slip it back on by getting the teeth a third of the way on at one end,and work it on pushing it up at an angle onto the sprocket. Dont use any tools,just fingers. This will take a bit of strength and tactic,but its easily done.

And the HT leads? Top front 1,top rear 2,bottom front 3,bottom rear 4. As for timing belt adjustment,that takes one minute - line the lower wheel up and you'll be able to see if the upper one is lined up properly,or if its slightly to one side or other. If it is,just slip the belt off the wheel by working at it with your fingers,turn the sprocket,and slip it back on by getting the teeth a third of the way on at one end,and work it on pushing it up at an angle onto the sprocket. Dont use any tools,just fingers. This will take a bit of strength and tactic,but its easily done.

Nah! I just checked the leads - they're on right, and besides it did run for a little while. I managed to coax it to rev a little and it was fairly smooth at that point. The distributor is in the right place and the timing marks line up fine.

Now it won't start at all - it just does this;

When you stop cranking, the engine spins backwards a bit and a puff of smoke comes out the carb!!!!

What the hell?? Seen that before? What does it mean?

Edited 29 June, 200719 yr by Chuck Yoghurt

That deffo looks like HT leads on the wrong way. Either that or the timing is miles out..

Although, a longer vid would have been good!

Edited 29 June, 200719 yr by Alexg40

That deffo looks like HT leads on the wrong way. Either that or the timing is miles out..

Although, a longer vid would have been good!

The firing order is ok 1-3-4-2 I just checked!

The best films always leave you wanting more!!!!!

I dunno, mate, the timing marks line up and the dist is set up so the rotor arm points at no 1 at TDC.

I really need help!!!

No 1 cylinder is @ the timing belt end of course. I got this wrong once thinking it was nearest the dizzy

No 1 cylinder is @ the timing belt end of course. I got this wrong once thinking it was nearest the dizzy

You sound like me!

Yep my digi camera has been a life saver. I usually take pics before ripping stuff to bits now. Especially if I'm gonna leave something overnite or the weekend. Cant think of anything else for yours. Its back firing which points to timing. Have you tried it with the air box on. Might create back pressure. Also i once found a dizzy that had been put on 180 degrees out. Just a thought.

Just curious, is this fixed now?

Just curious, is this fixed now?

Yes!

Well sort of. It runs well enough to get me to work this morning, but I think the timing is still a bit dodgy.

I had to twist the dizzy as clockwise as it would go before the car would run.

This makes me think I havn't got the basic timing quite right - but that key point again;

IT WORKS!!!

Thanks for your interest and thanks to everyone who gave me really useful advice - Cheers Guys!

Edited 2 July, 200719 yr by Chuck Yoghurt

Haha i put mine back together yesterday, it now sounds like a transit van - somethings wrong somewhere! Scariest drive home of my life - girlfriend nearly refused to come in it too lol...

However when i blip the throttle, the revs take ages to fall... Any idea if that could just be timing?

sounds like timing and leads on wrong, dan told me that he thinks engine is fucked and beyond repair lolol

scrap it and put a different engine in, it easier than all the fooking about!

Edited 2 July, 200719 yr by DKnight

Aye mate, it is battered - i think the new head might have sorted things but you don't know, and that camshaft must have been battered on with a fucking airgun! I'm on the lookout for another spi/nz/gt now, and hopefully vick will help me drop it in - i wouldn't know where to start mate.