RB25 Issues Starting

[NewYorkCoupe]

Alright guys I went out for my first test drive today and everything went awesome. After listening to so many RB videos online I was thrilled to hear one in person just purring. Well so much for the fairy-tale.

When I try to start it know, it just cranks and cranks and cranks. I can get it to start by giving it some throttle while turning the key, after-which it runs fine, idles fine, and doesnt make any noises.

The only thing I noticed was that I had an abnormal amount of vacuum when I unscrewed my gas cap after each "run" up the road.

Info:
'89 coupe
S1 RB25
Nismo FPR set at 43psi w/out vacuum
Stock intake
Custom downpipe
3" exhaust
Stock SMIC (cops pick on everyone with a front-mount around here)

[Carl H]

check your base timing...sounds like its retarded quite a bit.

[toadx8u]

might need a new vented cap...old caps can clog up...but i doubt thats your starting issue...

[NewYorkCoupe]

Thanks for the quick reply guys. Ill try to pull out the radiator and get the front covers off this weekend and check the timing. I know that the intake and exhaust pulleys are aligned but I dont know about the crank timing pulley. What should I be looking for as far as timing on the crank? Dead on 0 I'm assuming? The engine is completely stock as far as I know, I havent gone tearing into its internals.

[Carl H]

no, no...im talking about the cas timing, not the mechanical timing.
stick a light on it and see what it says.

[NewYorkCoupe]

Alright well forgive my noobishness. Ill be out of town till wednesday and then Ill grab a timing gun from my dads. I assume that its an older gun so can I just use the wire off the ignitor or do I have to do the spark plug wire thing.