SOHC turns over but wont start HELP!

[ScrapnSidwayz]

Alright I got my new KA24E installed in my 1989 240SX and the engine turns over but wont start. I checked the spark plugs and they are firing and when I pull them out they are wet and smell like fuel so I know its getting gas.So i have researched and read that maybe i need to reset the distributor timing because maybe its firing on the wrong stroke but how do i reset it?Also if somebody thinks it may be another problem please let me know.

Thanks,Mike

[ScrapnSidwayz]

Does anybody have any idea?Is it even possible to set the distributor timing wrong?Im not sure cuz the distributor only goes on one way so i dont know how it could be firing on the wrong stroke but i read it could.

[Razi]

Yes it is very possible to install the distributor incorrectly.

Read this article to learn how to install it correctly.

http://www.nicoclub.com/articles.php?id=161707

[ScrapnSidwayz]

Hey man thanks.I did read that article already when i was researching but it didnt really answer what im trying to figure out.Okay let me see if i can try to explain what im thinking. On the sohc ka the distributor can only go in one way because the oil pump gear shaft has a half moon on it. so im wondering if you can only install the distributor when piston 1 is tdc. or if you install it at any other point will it cause it to fire at the wrong time?Ha well let me know if anybody can understand my gibberish because i am very confused.

[andkorn]

Make sure your spark plug cables are wired up right. They are labeled on the distrib cap. Cylinder #1 is at the front of the car.

As long as the rotor is facing as shown in the article above ^^ you should be firing at *close* to the right time. At the very least your car should be misfiring a few times.

Borrow (or buy) a timing light (around $40 at napa) and have your friend crank the car while you watch the timing. The light should come with instructions.

Another thing is maybe your car is getting too much fuel and it's too wet to fire?

What led to this? was the car running before? did you just install a new distributor?

[Rev_D21]

The oil pump and dist. can only connect one way but can be off time with the crankshaft sprocket. Only way to tell is to set the engine to TDC, pull the cap and check the rotor position. It should be pointing at where the #1 plug lug would be if the cap were installed. If not you have to pull the oil pump, set the rotor to the right place, have someone hold it in position then feed the oil pump back in. It will run like crap if you are off a tooth, it won;t run at all if you are off more than that. The fact you are smelling fuel but getting spark is the prime indicator you are off at least a tooth.

[ScrapnSidwayz]

Alright thanks for the advice from both of you! Man i really really appreciate it.

I bought the car with a blown engine and bought another KA24E from this guy that said he just had it rebuilt and i swapped it in but now im having lots of problems with it.

I have got the car to start now and it was because the distributor timing was way off.But now the car runs really rough and it wont idle unless i hold it at about 1500rpm

The way i changed the timing was i removed the distributor cap and the rotor and the part that the rotor bolts to has a screw in the middle of it.So i loosened the screw and turned it to where it should be and then reinstalled the rotor and cap.Is the way i did it okay? Or do i have to remove the oil pump and change the timing that way?

and again i really appreciate the help

[andkorn]

If I remember correctly there is a flat part on the rotor shaft. The setscrew should meet up with the flat part. If it is not then you will need to remove the distrib and fix it. Again the picture in the above article should help you align it.

After reinstalling the distrib and getting everything straight I would suggest getting a timing light. There is a nice article on how to use it here zerothread/358264. Either that or you can play with the distrib a bit to get it to fire right.

*after* you get the ignition timing down, I would also check the usual (plugs, cables, fuel injectors) as to why it's running rough. But right now I would say ignition timing is way off.

[ScrapnSidwayz]

ha well damn i will go check the rotor shaft to see if it has a flat part or not.all i did was loosen the screw and rotate it. I never even thought to remove it to see if it was suppose to sit on there a certain way.

thanks i will go check and let you know

[Rev_D21]

The is a hole in that shaft for the screw the thread into, the rotor should only go on one way.

[ScrapnSidwayz]

Yeah dude i know that there is a set screw so the rotor can only go on one way.

The screw i was talking about is in the middle of the shaft that the rotor bolts to and you can only see it after you have removed the rotor.

Also i think "andkorn" was correct about the rotor shaft having a flat part on it.I went out and checked and the rotor was sitting kinda crooked so i took it off and loosend the screw in the middle of the shaft and rotated it and it kinda popped in and its sitting straight now.

So i think that i am gona have to remove the oil pump because with it piston #1 at tdc the rotor isnt pointing at the cylinder #1 spark plug wire.

Im gona go try to change the timing again the correct way and i will let you guys know if it runs any better.

thanks for the help so far!

[ScrapnSidwayz]

I got another question.I have heard that they make 2 different distributors for this engine. so would using the wrong distributor cause my car to run crappy like it is?

The reason im wonder is because i took the distributor off of my old engine and put it on my new one.

Also if i hold the gas steady or dont touch the gas the car will die. I have to feather the gas on and off to keep the rpms up to atleast 1500 to keep it running. What could be causing that besides the timing because i have checked it again and again and it seems right.

[ScrapnSidwayz]

hmmm well nobody has posted lately about my question. but..... i got the car running.

i kept setting piston #1 to tdc and setting the rotor to the #1 spark plug wire but everytime i would start it it would run like s***. so i dropped the oil pump again and advanced the distributor shaft a like 1 or 2 teeth more and BAMMM! the car runs a hell of a lot better.

so for anybody else having this problem that was my solution.

also thank you everybody that helped me along the way. hopefully i will get everything on the car sorted out and start driving that mug soon.

peace

[seang]

I'm glad to see your tenacity has paid off. Are you gonna take a timing light to it?

[ScrapnSidwayz]

Hey, yeah i am going to set it more precisely with a timing light soon as i get a chance. I just want to get the electric fans installed and fill it up with coolant and change the oil so i can start driving it to break the engine in more without overheating it or anything.But dammmn i am so glad it runs now!!!