Hay guys I just got done putting P&P heads and a XE230/236 on my TA. Well I went to start the car and it would not run with out me pushing the gas. It ran really smooth while holding down the pedal. Well I turned it off adjusted the rockers and tried it again. It started right up no problem. It even idled in drive. Well I did the 15 min thing then changed the oil and putt the alt back on and now the car wont start. It tries to but then just dies. I thought it might be the battery but I charged it up.

What do yall think is wrong? Any help would be great.

Here is a list of all the new stuff in the car.

Heads , cam , rockers , lifters , pushrods, double roller chain.

Thanks
Rustin

 

So it was running fine for 15 mins, then you take off the alternator and put it back on and nothing?? Did you hook everything up correctly?

 

The two biggest questions are ...are you sure you lined the timing dots up?Is the opti on right?Check all electrical connections...All of em.

 

Ya it ran perfect for 15 min then I put the alternator on and changed the oil. Now it won’t start.

I was thanking the same thing about the chain and the opti. I will check that here soon but I don't think that would be it. Considering it idled very smooth and even idled in drive.

Would it idle in that smooth if the opti or chain were on wrong?

Thanks

 

Any one else have any input ......please...

 

All I can tell you is to check for fuel and spark.If you have both it should start.If not,I think you will have to check the opti and timing chain installation.One other thing,did you check the length of the dowel pin?

 

Ya I had to cut the dowel pin down. So I know that's not it.

If the opti and the chain were not on correct would it have started and ran so smothly? I would think that it would eather not run at all or just back fire like craze. Any input...

 

Most likely not any timing issue, or opti, wouldnt have ran that smoothly for that long, check your vaccuum lines, especialy to the fpr, check for good fuel pressure with and without car running, check plug wires, all the basic stuff

 

I just finished working on a car a few weeks ago... we did a cam install and it ran fine till we went to put everything back on, alternator and stuff. Turns out after 2 weeks of troubleshooting the dowel, even though we cut it, was just a hair too long. It ran fine for at least 30 minutes and then never started again. The opti shaft was so screwed it was hard to turn by hand.

 

Ya know BeaversTA, I just finished putting on my heads two weeks ago. I had no extra parts left so I knew I did a good job, but it too would turn over like it wanted to start, but just wouldnt start.

I checked to make sure everything was properly connected and to find that I didnt connect the alternator. I connected the alternator up(guess I was just too excited). But it still didnt fire, now i was getting scared.

I believe it was the Almighty ShoeBox who replied to my cry for help and he said - Remove the PCM Fuse in the FuseBox for 10 seconds and it will start.

And it did.

 

Thanks for all the help guys.

I'm pretty sure I connected the alternator but I will recheck it.

I guess I will have to re-check the dowel pin, but I am pretty sure that's correct to. I butted up the two cams to make sure it was the same length. Before I put the new one in.

I know I am getting fuel because the plugs are black and smell of fuel. But I will check the pressure. The wires should be fine I have them over the valve covers so there not touching the headers.

If the plugs get to socked with fuel would they go bad? Should I try and put new plugs in it?

Oh and I will try and pull the fuse and see if that helps.

Thanks guys and please keep the ides coming.

Later

Rustin

 

Did it start?

 

Check for spark at the plug (more than one ) while cranking, this will show that the opti is still turning at least.

 

Well I checked the alternator and it is all connected correctly. I also tried pulling the fuse and it didn’t work either. I will check the wires tomorrow and see if they’re getting any spark before I start pulling stuff apart.

Thanks for all the help and I will let yall know how it goes.

later

 

i also dont think it could be a timing problem since the car ran fine for 15 min and it sounds like you cut the dowel pin correctly to me. i woulda suggested pulling the PCM fuse to reset the computer but you already did that so what if you pulled the alternator back off to see if that makes a difference since it started that way the first time.