It will crank crank crank then get slower then it won't crank at all. Then it will crank crank crank and then start getting bogged down and then stop. My battery is reading 10 volts after all that starting. I need to figure out the problem. Any suggestions?

Roller rockers? How can I check if its the roller rockers?

Help fast I'm trying to start the damn thing. No SES light, all sensors are hooked up etc. etc. All the new stuff I put in is in my sig now.

 

Did you install the opti correctly? With the dowel in the correct position?

Nathan

 

Rockers being too tight could also be a possibility...

 

the opti is brand new from jason cromer and I installed it perfectly lining up the dots on the sprockets. It's definitely not an electrical problem I have a feeling it's mechanical.

madwolf, how do I check the rockers? I know I did not put them on right what should I do now? I got the car sitting in my driveway with the valve covers off I need to get it started!!!

 

I think the best way to adjust them is by bringing each cylinder to TDC.

Here's Shoebox's guide that I used for my cam install.

 

How are you supposed to bring each cylinder to TDC?

 

If you read the guide, you'll find out.

When the hub mark is at 12 o'clock, it's either at #1 or #6 TDC.
#6 is dot to dot on the crank/cam gear and #1 is 12 o'clock for both.

With the timing cover on, here's the way to find out if you're at #6 or #1.

Quote from Shoebox's website. "Look at the valves on the #1 cylinder. If both valves are up (pushrods down), you are at #1. If the exhaust valve is down (pushrod up), you are at #6 TDC. Note: any valve that you adjust, should be in the closed (pushrod down) position. "

Then once you find out which one you're at, you turn the crank 90* at a time and adjust the cylinders according to the firing order:

1-8-4-3
6-5-7-2

If you start with 6, then you turn the crank one full revolution (doing the 6, 5, 7, 2) and then you do the 1-8-4-3 after that.

 

Whats weird is that my car will start cranking, then it seems like it got stuck or something and it will stop cranking. Then I let the key go, crank it again and it will start cranking and it will crank slow like it's working against something and then it will stop. My battery is kind of low now but it was doing it even when the batt was reading 12 volts...

What could cause that? I'm racking my brain and the only thing it could be is the damned rockers... Isn't there some way I can get the car to run and then adjust the rockers like that? I mean what else could cause the car to want to start hard and then give up??

EDIT: A couple times when I was cranking it I heard the exhaust fire a couple times but then it died again... It seems like a rocker problem but how am I supposed to get TDC with everything attached? I can't turn it with the hub bolt I already had to helicoil the damn hole.

 

Think of it this way. If the rockers are too tight, that adds extra load for the starter. And when it has to turn the crank up again, that's where it will have the problem turning it. (slow) This will drain the battery quickly too.
If they're too tight, that's all you're gonna get. Slight fire and possibly backfire.

 

OK, try this. Its the simplest way to adjust the rockers.

Pick a cylinder, and crank it over until one of the valves is open. Tighten the rocker on the OTHER valve until you can't spin the push rod with your fingers anymore. Then tighten it another 1/4 to 1/2 turn. Crank the engine until the valve you just adjusted is open, and adjust the one next to it in the same way. Lather, rinse repeat.

That is going to set them up pretty loose, but it should fire when you are done. It'll prolly clack like a ***** though.

 

How do you crank the engine??? It's near impossible with the spark plugs in. Can I blip the starter to do it? I don't want to use the hub bolt because I already stripped it once. Now I got it helicoiled and it's in there and I don't want to mess it up again.

EDIT: Did I risk messing anything up by trying to crank it with the rockers too tight? This is my first cam install but I did not take any shortcuts. All parts are new, install was by the book down to the teeth. Timing chain is lined up perfectly, opti is in perfectly, it's like it just doesn't want to crank. You have a good point Madwolf but how would having the rockers to tight make the starter work harder???

 

I'm pretty sure I can turn mine using one of the balancer bolts if need be. I'd start by loosening up all the rockers first. It will be easier to turn.

 

Yes, the starter will worl fine. Un-hook the coil to prevent it from firing until you are done though.

 

I'm going to loosen all the rockers and try blipping the starter tomorrow morning and redoing all of them... I hope to God that the rockers are the problem as I would be stumpted if it isn't. I have a feeling it is though 1) because I get those "feelings" and two because everything else is perfect, no mistakes anywhere. I read about all the people that had problems with optis and dowels, and timing chaings, and all that. I used loctite in all the right places, only thing not done right is the rockers.... Somebody please assure me it will turn over after I do this... I'm scared and I need comforting =)

 

I'd say about 90% that the rockers are your problem. Unless you forgot a screwdriver or a ratchet in the lifter valley or inside the timing cover.
J/K
You'll be OK.