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Need engine experts. Car won't start. Have tried everything!

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Old Oct 19, 2008 | 08:20 PM
  #1  
nbays1975's Avatar
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 50
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
Car: 88 GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt rear w/3.73 richmond gears
Need engine experts. Car won't start. Have tried everything!

First a short history. Bought the car last July. Was having problems running when it warmed up. While trying to tune the computer one day, it stopped running completely. I replaced a lot of parts, but I believe the culprit was a bad dist. module that failed when it got hot.
In the process of attempting to get it running I have replaced the distributor (and dist module), cap, rotor, plugs, plug wires, coil, and battery. It still wouldn't start. I gave up on it for a while, and it sat for 6 months.

Now to the present. The symptoms are: it cranks over just fine, but won't start; not even a hiccup. I've verified that it is getting spark using a spark tester. I'm pretty sure it is getting fuel, as you can smell raw fuel when I crank it over. Also, you can smell raw fuel from the tailpipe. Prior to letting it sit I verified the fuel pressure at over 40 psi. The one thing I'm unsure of is the timing. My understanding is you can only put the distributor in two ways (0 deg or 180 deg). I have tried it both ways with the same results. My assumption is that if the timing is remotely close (ie not 180 out) it should at least start, and then I can put a timing light on it. One other thing. Since I was messing with the computer before it died, I've left the 4-prong connector on the distributor disconnected, which I believe takes the computer out of the loop. So, I have spark, fuel, and compression, yet it won't start. It doesn't kick over at all. Doesn't sound like a single cylinder is firing even once. I'm at a loss. Where should I look next? Could too much fuel prevent any ignition at all? Quality of spark? If the timing is too far out, will it not even try to start?

NOTE: car specs
383 ci
10.5:1 compression ratio
Mini Ram intake
Edelbrock Performer heads
Shorty headers
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Old Oct 21, 2008 | 09:01 AM
  #2  
OldCelica's Avatar
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 179
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From: Beaverton, OR
Car: '91 Camaro 305V8, '91 Camaro 3.1V6
Re: Need engine experts. Car won't start. Have tried everything!

I would start by hooking your ignition module back up. I've never tried to start my cars with that disconnected and can not verify that it will run or not.

I would double check everything that you know from before the car sat. Also, pull your plugs out and take a look at them. Make sure that they are a nice golden brown. My guess is that they will be black from the unburnt fuel. Clean them up, check timing.

What were you doing with the computer anyway? It always helps to go back and find out what was done between when the car was running and then not.

You can't tune the computer on these cars without burning a PROM chip. Is that what you were doing?
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