Question about cams, sprockets, and timing

[Spartan325]

Ok guys, I recently opened up a 96 s14 in order to change the head gasket. On our first attempt putting everything back together we weren't at TDC on no. 1 Clyinder. We reset things and upon putting everything back together, we aligned the camshaft sprockets and timing chain EXACTLY as the book said, we're still not firing; no.3 cylinder isn't gettin compression to the plug hole, but the compression stroke of no.3 cylinder seems to be coming out of the intake. We're trying to find out things about why this problem might be happening. She was running when we pulled her up, and now we're not firing up at all, she tries, but will not start. Any help here is GREATLY appreciated.

[moso]

when your number one cyl is at tdc durring the compression stroke. the lobes on the cams for the number one cyl should be pointing outwards from center. exhaust lobes pointing to the exhaust manifold and intake pointing to the intake manifold. set it to number one tdc compression stroke and tell us where your cams point. or take a picture.

[Spartan325]

OK, here's pics of the camshafts before we turned the shafts to the position I've been instructed to turn them to. The images show how the camshafts were positioned, with the engine at TDC compression on no. 1... We corrected the camshafts, any further ideas as to the problem? We're kinda thinking the possibility of the ECU gone bad... http://s49.photobucket.com/alb...7.jpg http://s49.photobucket.com/alb...8.jpg http://s49.photobucket.com/alb...9.jpg

[moso]

it looks like your cam shafts were off a tooth or two. that coupled with the fact that your getting compression leaks out your intake leads me to believe you may have bent a valve. sorry. you can remove the cams and mic the valve stems to see if thay are returning to fully seated. an ecu problem wont make your compression come out the intake manifold. mechanical timing is the only thing that will effect compression and the ecu has no control over mechanical timing. again im sorry and please keep us posted as i would love to be wrong on this one.

[Spartan325]

Sorry, meant to include in my previous post... After we turned the camshafts to correct placement, and double checked our mechanical timing by the book (Chilton guide AND notes from Nissan mechanic) We're getting compression and fire on no.3 again, BUT she still isn't firing up, that why we're thinking either distributor or ecu, nothing much else makes sense. Nissan tech said to try adjusting the idle, but it was running fine BEFORE all this, we don't see how the idle could be causing this. thoughts?

[Spartan325]

O... further update... upon closer examination, our cams were still off by about a tooth each... fixed that, and realigned the timing marks... she's trying to fire now, but sounds like possibly a firing order issue... wanted to say thanks for your help on the cams, and if anyone has any data about plug wires and firing order it would be helpful (mainly it would just save us a lil time)

[moso]

firing order is 1 3 4 2 number one plug should be top left or 9o'clock from the driver side fender rotation is counter clockwise.

[Spartan325]

Thanks, as soon as we have the battery charged, we'll try that out... maybe that's the trick... Thanks so much. The book had said to do the plug almost exactly backwards to that... Might be part of our problems lol... Will post update again in about 2 hrs.

[Spartan325]

firing set correct... backfiring through the intake... bent valve, right? we're finding the parts for that fix tomorrow if that's what it is...

[moso]

did you set your timing with a timing light. you could just be a tooth off on the dizzy. it happens.

[Spartan325]

We did not use a timing light... I was under the impression that the timing light really only works once the engine is running... If I'm incorrect please let me know, and we'll pick one up tomorrow, as we don't have one here currently...

[gumby74]

Reset the timing marks to TDC on #1, including the dizzy. Then using a breaker bar or ratchet, turn the engine by hand two full revolutions.

While doing this you will be able to both feel and hear the compression building and passing. Have someone hold a few strips of newspaper over the valve springs as you are going. If you see the paper fluttering at any one cylinder or pair of valves you obviously have a leak. After the second full revolution your marks should line back up to TDC on the cams as well as the dizzy. Thias is how I found my dizzy was off a tooth.

[youngun21a]

If everything is setup right on TDC,just adjust the dizzy like this and it should fire right up..

[Spartan325]

OK... here's a possibly stupid question, but is it possible that the spark plugs are just fouled out?

[Spartan325]

Ok, new update... She is now starting... we identified the intake valves on the no.3 piston aren't coming back up all the way. She won't stay running on her own, have to make her idle. We think either the valves are affecting the idle, or the idle is also misadjusted. Thoughts?? Oh, and just to say it now, Thank you guys so much, you've been LOADS of help...