5spd swap, car won't start, HELP!!

[Newcastle82]

So I just performed the sex change on my girlfriend's 89 coupe. It's an SE w/ HUD and power comforts.

She insisted on a zero-mileage engine to go with it all, so I pulled the block and head apart and took them to a machinist. No big deal. Just got the engine put together and installed today, installed the 5spd transmission to the block and slid everything into place as a whole.

CAR WON'T START!

I already jumpered the wires on the neutral park switch from the Auto chassis fuse box on passenger side. I pulled the fuel supply tube off the intake manifold and had someone turn the key - it squirted fuel, so I don't believe it is fuel related. Also, I took one of the spark plug wires off, inserted a screwdriver far enough into the plug sheathing to make contect and touched the middle of the screwdriver to the valve cover (I know, hella ghetto, but the parts store was already closed and I don't have a proper tester). Anyway, it looks like I'm getting spark, too. What the hell is going on? I'm stumped, and before I take it to a Nissan mechanic, I need to know what you guys think. PLEASE HELP!!

[Hijacker]

the car is at least trying to turn over? have you considered the fact that your ignition timing may be off?

[Newcastle82]

Yes, I have considered that possiblity. I checked the firing order against that of another 240sx I've got, and it lined up fine. Tomorrow I suppose I'll have to pull the oil pump out, reallign it, then re-install the distributor. I'll see if that helps.

Or, is there a way to tell if the engine is at TDC for no.1 piston without opening the timing cover?

[GrilledCheese33]

Yes, I have considered that possiblity. I checked the firing order against that of another 240sx I've got, and it lined up fine. Tomorrow I suppose I'll have to pull the oil pump out, reallign it, then re-install the distributor. I'll see if that helps.

Or, is there a way to tell if the engine is at TDC for no.1 piston without opening the timing cover?

Could be air in your clutch line? Did you bleed the whole clutch system when installed? B/C I helped my friend put a new clutch in his ford and The clutch wouldn't work since their was air in the line, meaning the engine wouldn't start. We bled it a 2nd time and that power stroke diesel started right up. I attached a pic of how to tell TDC. Got it form another thread. All you do is pull the valve cover off(DOHC) And turn engine until the two front cam lobes on each cam face outward. I hope I helped. Let me know if you have any other ?'s

-Darren

Note here the position of the cam lobes on #1 cylinder. They are facing outwards which means its at TDC on compression stroke.

[Newcastle82]

Thanks for the insight Grilled Cheese, and the picture. Unfortunately this is an 89 car, with a SOHC engine.

So I got it to start today. Turns out the igntion timing was indeed off - I had installed the oil pump incorrectly, a few teeth away from perfect, and it was causing the distributor to fire wrong. Thanks for your help Tenkawa. Woooo!! Da ***** is alive!!

[Newcastle82]

Skeet Skeet skeet!!! GIGGITY GIGGITY!!! -happy dance- Heh. I'm a fool. Close this thread.