the classic topic: ka24e rebuild, wont start

[singleslammer251]

So ive have my 89 240sx for close to 6 months now. i got it for 650 bucks and it still ran...sorta. every since i pulled it in my garage ive been tearing it down and rebuilding it. So far i have new oem pistons, timing chain, tensioners, gears, timing cover, ignition coil, dist. cap, gaskests, seals, exedy clutch, jegs batt relocation kit, new battery, water pump, oil pump, thermostart, radiator hoses, and water pump belt. i dont plan on modding it till i know it starts, so i put the engine back in on tuesday with high hopes and expectations of finally driving a 240sx and.............it didnt start at all just cranked and cranked. there is no spark whatsoever at the ignition coil, the previous owner said it may need a new one when he sold it to me so i said what the heck ill get a new one and.............it still didnt spark at all just the same situation, my instructor at school said it could be the ecu if i know everything is hooked up right on the ignition side. has anyone else had this problem? help would be greatly appreciated.

[singleslammer251]

i found the solution...im gonna sell the p.o.s

[Mr. S13]

So ive have my 89 240sx for close to 6 months now. i got it for 650 bucks and it still ran...sorta. every since i pulled it in my garage ive been tearing it down and rebuilding it. So far i have new oem pistons, timing chain, tensioners, gears, timing cover, ignition coil, dist. cap, gaskests, seals, exedy clutch, jegs batt relocation kit, new battery, water pump, oil pump, thermostart, radiator hoses, and water pump belt. i dont plan on modding it till i know it starts, so i put the engine back in on tuesday with high hopes and expectations of finally driving a 240sx and.............it didnt start at all just cranked and cranked. there is no spark whatsoever at the ignition coil, the previous owner said it may need a new one when he sold it to me so i said what the heck ill get a new one and.............it still didnt spark at all just the same situation, my instructor at school said it could be the ecu if i know everything is hooked up right on the ignition side. has anyone else had this problem? help would be greatly appreciated.

Did you change the rotor button? How about the plug wires? Sometimes a broken coil wire can screw your whole world up.. If my suggestions yield no luck, i'll take the clutch.

[singleslammer251]

well i pulled the dist. out and oil pump. reset the engine to tdc and reinstalled the oil pump and dist. and set it to the no. 1 cylinder spark plug according to the fsm. i also rewired the entire harness to the ignition coil cuz there was a tear in the power wire. progress was made but not perfection yet. now when it attempts to turn over (btw the new battery is almost dead now) it turns very slow and will pause and ignite what seems like only one cylinder and a bunch of flames shoot out the headers and just burns off but no start up at all. and it is not the fuel cuz i put one gallon of fresh 89 octane in it. the previous owner put a new cap wires and spark plugs in it a week before he sold it to me

[Mr. S13]

well i pulled the dist. out and oil pump. reset the engine to tdc and reinstalled the oil pump and dist. and set it to the no. 1 cylinder spark plug according to the fsm. i also rewired the entire harness to the ignition coil cuz there was a tear in the power wire. progress was made but not perfection yet. now when it attempts to turn over (btw the new battery is almost dead now) it turns very slow and will pause and ignite what seems like only one cylinder and a bunch of flames shoot out the headers and just burns off but no start up at all. and it is not the fuel cuz i put one gallon of fresh 89 octane in it. the previous owner put a new cap wires and spark plugs in it a week before he sold it to me

hmmm.. odd, I feel you should know that 240's pretty much only run worth a crap on 91+. I put 87 in one of them, and no lie I thought the thing was gonna detonate. P.S. I know you really don't want to hear this, but I think your timing is off on your chain. Put it to tdc and check the marks on the crank and cam gear. The only way that it is popping flames out of the headers is if it is igniting with a valve open. This would also explain why it makes no effort to run. Hopefully this is of some use what so ever. Just double check everything, and hope for the best. Wish I could be of more help