sohc timing problems

[skylinekin]

This is a 90 w/ a sohc

I had a small oil leak from my oil pump so I removed it and replaced the gasket, I set the motor at tdc cyl #1, aligned the punch mark on the shaft and the small gash on the oil pump and reinserted it into the front cover, everything went in, the distributor was still pointing at tdc cyl #1. Now it wont start, it just cranks over, and when I turn the key off, it kinda makes a poof noise. I put it at 15dbtc and checked the timing on cyl #1, it was dead on. What am i forgetting to do? This is driving me crazy, any help would be great, I can get pics or whatever you guys need. Thanks

[skylinekin]

I thought maybe the fact that I took the oil pump out w/o it being on tdc was the problem, so I put it at tdc, and removed the dist/oil pump again, then reinstalled it making sure the dist. was set at tdc, but it still doesnt start.

[pmkls2]

It sounds like you have the distributor in 180 degrees out. Dont forget that the crank goes to TDC twice during the engine cycle and you could have put the distributor in with the engine at TDC but it is on the exhaust stroke and not the compression stroke. Basically you need to take off the cap and rotate the engine until the crank is on TDC BUT the rotor on the distributor is NOT at the #1 position. Then remove the distributor and rotate the rotor to align with the #1 cylinder position and reinstall. Try cranking it again and see if it doesnt start then. The only other thing I could think it would be would be simply a wire has been left off somewhere. HTH..........

[skylinekin]

I went out and took a look again, I did what you said and cranked it to tdc not facing #1, but how can you put the distributor in 180 the other way, the key on the oil pump hits. I think what I need to do is take out the oil pump again, rotate it 180 then reinstall it and the distibutor, that would baisicallyt do what you suggested, because I have it on tdc on the wrong stroke.
Modified by skylinekin at 6:29 PM 7/23/2006

[pmkls2]

Sorry, i didnt read your post correctly the first time now I see you never had the distributor out the first time. That changes things a little bit but not too much because you still had it out. I really forget the exact orientation on these engines because its been a long time since i had mine apart. If Im not mistaken the gear is on the oil pump and the distributor slides onto a splined shaft of some sort. If that is the case then you will need to slide the oil pump down enough to rotate it 180 degrees and then you will be able to install the distributor the other way. Im not sure what happened originally but after taking it all out that may have happened. The only other possibility is you are a tooth off on the gear that drives the pump and distributor but you should notice that the rotor is not pointing directly to the #1 spot it would be either advanced or retarded a good bit. Just as a step of good measure you ought to check and make you are getting fore to the plugs once you get it back together and crank it just to make sure there arent any blown fuses or loose wires

[skylinekin]

okay i will try it out tomarrow morning, thanks

[pmkls2]

something i forgot to tell you to check before you go taking it back apart is simply remove the plug from the #1 cylinder and stick your finger over the hole in the head and have somebody bump the engine over until you feel the compression push your finger off. then you know for sure you are on the compression stroke. simply move the engine to the TDC mark from there and then look at the position of the rotor and it should be right on the money if not then you know your timing is definately off and needs to be corrected....

[skylinekin]

thanks for the help, its running great now, it was off 180 degrees like we thought.

[drifterz73]

i think i have the same problem you did... but i am having some more problems.... can you help... could you possibly draw some pics of how the distributor and cap and wires an rotor should look like email me or something... .. the guy that helped rebuild my engine didnt pay attention... now he cant seem to get the timing set... pulled cap off and plug wires and didnt lable.... car just turns over and when it i shut it off it like poofs.... i can only gather that it is 180 off ...i just need a visual.... chiltons sux autozone advance... dont have clue...

[skylinekin]

email sent.