I just got this 86 IROC with a 305 TPI for insanely cheap but it doen't start up. The last owner was a hack and he messed with alot of things on the car. The car cranks but won't actually start. All it does is turn and pop. I have sufficient fuel pressure(have a guage and an adjustable regulator), and the injectors are getting power(tried an injector tester). I thought it was ignition (the last owner had disconnected the distributer) so I've replaced the cap, rotors and coil as well as the spark plugs. I am getting spark to the plugs. Its not a plugged exhaust, the cat back and cat are not installed. I have fuel, spark, and air to the best of my knowledge. The timing chain can't be broken, since the ignition works and engine cranks. I haven't tried a compression test yet, i'll get to that soon.
I'm out of ideas why this car won't start. Can anyone please help out!!!!!

 

sounds if the timing is real bad.Also check the fuel pump. Do you hear a whine from the rear of the car? It would be the pump priming.

 

Start by checking the firing order of the spark plug wires then try setting the timing from scratch yourself. This way at you know this is correct.

 

Yah, the guy that had my car before the guys I bought it from messed with the ignition a lot too. He couldn't get it to start, but it ended up that he just didn't have the right firing order on the plugs.

 

did you replace the ignition module when you got all the new parts for the dist ? i bought an 87 iroc that wouldnt start CHEAP , all it took was a $25 dollar part to get her going