USAirman93

I am new to this site and new to 4th gens. Just sold my third gen after restoring it and this car is so confusing compared to it. Here's my problem: Bought this 1993 camaro z28 with a reman 95 engine and tranny for 600$. It didn't start, I put a new battery in and it ran but poorly, plus the gas pedal was nearly hanging to the floor, after starting 3 times it wouldn't start anymore, just cranks without firing up. I replaced spark plugs, distributor, water pump, radiator, cooling lines, hoses, pulleys, fuel pump and the wires are routed correctly. The car still won't turn over. The fuel pump primes when I twist the key, no check engine lights, and 0psi oil pressure. Completely stumped. Help would be appreciated.

Injuneer

Have you scanned it for codes? What brand Optispark distributor did you install? Are you sure the splined shaft is indexed correctly to the cam sprocket?

By "won't turn over" do you mean the starter cranks the engine, but it won't start? ....not even a sputter?

USAirman93

Scanned with no codes returned, optispark is oem replacemet, and I wasn't sure exactly how to put it but I thought it was right. And I mean belt and pullys are moving but it wont actually catch to start. not even a putter.

USAirman93

And I forgot to mention that I have no spark

Injuneer

And you checked for codes by shorting the pins on the ALDL connector and flashing them on the SES light?

If you have no spark, it isn't a problem with the Opti drive shaft... that would produce a spark, just at the wrong time. For future reference, Shoebox has the alignment procedure:

http://shbox.com/1/93-94_opti.jpg

How did you determine "no spark"- at the coil wire, or at one or more of the plug wires? Do you have a way to check the fuel pressure?

USAirman93

Im not sure what you mean by this. I used an OBD1 Scanner plugged in under my dash.

This is not the correct opti, I have a 95 engine I apologize if I didn't mention that.

touched a pair of pliers to the tip of a spark plug while in the plug wire connected to the opti

USAirman93

Sorry misunderstood the first question, yes that is how I scanned the codes. I kept getting 12 over and over which is no codes found.

Injuneer

Check for spark at the Opti end of the coil wire. Spark there, but not at the spark plug might indicate a failure of the Opti rotor - they are known to comes loose when the screws fall out.

You mentioned the 95 engine, I just lost track of that after several posts. The cam dowel pin is just as big a problem with the 95-97 vented units.

USAirman93

No spark there either

Injuneer

Have the ignition control module tested at an auto parts store. Check the coil using the procedure at shbox.com

I'd post a link but I'm on a phone.

Failure of the ICM or the required low resolution cam position signal from the Opti should set codes, though.

USAirman93

Had them both tested yesterday, theyre both good

Injuneer

Go to the "sticky" thread at the top of the LT1 Based Engine Tech forum, that explains how to test for the signal from the PCM to the ICM that fires the coil.

USAirman93

So I took the engine apart again and apparently the actual piece that turns the opti is missing. am I able to replace this?

Injuneer

Do you mean the splined driveshaft?

USAirman93

the notch coming from the timing gear that turns the rotor on the 95 opti; mine is nearly flat unlike this one