trevor1010

Okay long story short I have an 89 iroc with an 406 hsr it was running perfect before I pulled the engine to change the oil pan. Once I got it back in it wouldn't crank believed to be the coil or module so I just changed the entire distributor since the old one was from 89. Now it will crank and run just shuts off after about 20 secs. I was told to change the plugs since there covered in oil and gas and they're black.. I just wanted some info here before I bought anything else the injectors are accel 32 only 3 years old.... oh and when the timing light is hooked up on the 1 spark plug it doesn't read anything when running. It's fairly new too.. I hope the is in the right forum I need help seriously.. let me know what you guys think.. plugs are accel 3924 I think was previously running 3923 before I pulled the engine

Go Blue

Well, if the timing light isn't flashing then the problem is definitely ignition related. Are you positive that all of the connectors are connected perfectly after the engine was put back in? Check the wiring to the ignition module and coil to make sure that it's tight and all of the spark plug wires are seated. When you can get the engine to start even a little bit, is it stumbling and dieing or just shutting off quickly? If it's stumbling, then there's more than likely an issue with the fuel system. If it shuts down quickly, it's more than likely the ignition system or something else electrical. When you replaced the distributor, did you check to see if the rotor spun when you bumped the engine. Just to make sure that the gears on the cam and distributor meshed? It's generally not the problem, but just thought I would make the suggestion as I've seen it happen once or twice where either the cam gear was trashed or the distributor wasn't set in totally. Just some thoughts off the top of my head.

trevor1010

Yes it stumbles then shuts off makes a tapping noise like it starving for fuel the pump comes on it reads 40psi at start and the rotor does spin

Go Blue

Do you have HEI or not? Meaning is the coil on the top of the distributor or not? If it is on top, check that spring that the coil sits on as they are known to burn or can go missing when you swap the coil out. Also check the leads from the coil to the electrical connector. Stumbling to me, still sounds like it's fuel related. 40 psi at idle is about right if I remember correctly.

trevor1010

No it's not hei and the distributor is brand new it's getting spark at the plug when i had the old the distributor in it wasn't doing anything but turning over now it will crank but it stumbles and the plugs are wet with gas.. can I test the injectors or just try new plugs

Go Blue

You can do a resistance check on each injector. If you search on here, i'm sure someone has a spec for it somewhere. I don't remember what it is to be honest. Also, your timing might be off depending on how well you set that new distributor in. Even a tooth off can make it run horribly!

trevor1010

Ok are there any chances I may have jumped the timing chain or stretched it it's a double rolling

Go Blue

Not likely. But if you set the distributor in and it's even a tooth off 1 way or the other, that throws off everything. Sometimes you can get away with moving the wires, but the best way is to pull the #1 plug and then bump the engine to TDC and see where the rotor is and put the wires on the distributor accordingly. That way, you can possibly mess with the distributor to see if you can advance or retard the timing enough to get it back where it was before you swapped in the new distributor

trevor1010

Ya I tried that seems like it's not advancing or retarding when I move it..smh this has me clueless

Go Blue

trevor1010

Ok I'll try to set it again.. any pointers?

Go Blue

trevor1010

Tried that still the same spined the rotor to tdc and it still cranks them stumbles

Go Blue

trevor1010

Yes I did that it and it still stumbles with soaked spark plugs I think it's a fuel problem

Go Blue

trevor1010

Yes and it has spark at the plugs

trevor1010

I was told to change plugs an that will fix it

Go Blue

zed-028

fuel is making it as far as the plugs and soaking them, youve got fuel - this leaves spark and air

ive had this with a clogged cat as have others, weak spark is another option. did you confirm whether the timing light was flashing?

trevor1010

Not at all.

zed-028

if youve got no flash on the timing light, its either dead or you dont have strong enough spark running from the distributor to the leads.

as its the cheapest i would be looking at spark first. Rotor button, rotor and cap.

trevor1010

Not at all

trevor1010

I'll try that

trevor1010

What about to module on the outside of the distributor the one that the single spark plug wire runs too

zed-028

the coil, thats also something to check

zed-028

if you put the timing light lead on that wire and crank, the light on the timing light will be pretty much solid! - if its not then youve either got a dead light or a dead coil or a broken connection somewhere before the coil - or the dreaded ignition module