Hi all, first I'd like to thank you for coming by to read my post. I have a '92 RS Heritage Edition that I can't get running. It's a stock 305 TBI with a manual tranny. I'll try to keep this as short as possible, and still give the most information possible.

Replaced the intake manifold because of a stubborn bolt that broke while trying to replace the thermostat. Used new gaskets and new RTV beads with the intake manifold, new gasket on the TBI unit. Distributor turned when trying to reinstall (next time I'll mark it better...). Took all plugs out, put finger over #1 plug hole, and turned motor over by hand until I felt/heard compression. Set #1 piston to top dead center using a piston stop, set rotor to where #1 should fire. Installed all new plugs & wires, and a new distributor cap & rotor.

The starter turns the motor, but it doesn't seem to fire on any of the cylinders at all. Have checked spark from distributor to wires (it's there), but haven't been able to check wires to plugs. It also seems like the starter will turn a few rotations, then bog down for a split second and speed back up. Car has been on jumper cables with a running car during every start, so should have plenty of power for the starter. The only thing that SEEMS different to me is that the injectors might be pouring out too much fuel. With the air filter box off, I can see fuel bouncing up off the throttle plates while starter is turning over. I can't promise that it didn't do this before though, because I never started it with the filter box off while watching the injectors. Does anyone know what could cause this, or what I should try to check next?

Thanks again!

 

Turn the dist 180°.

Keep it simple. See my signature for a helpful mental technique to employ when faced with a situation you can't figure out.

 

I'll give that a try next, any other suggestions though? I've heard that if a motor is 180 degrees off on the distributor, it'll still run. Just not well. I'm not getting anything at all, so I wonder if there's something else going on.

 

I gotta say, this really sounds like a timing issue...

 

Ok, I didn't necessarily rotate the distributor 180 degrees, but I moved the #1 wire to #6 position, #8 to #5, #4 to #7, etc. Pretty much I put the #1 wire 180 degrees from where it was and then followed the firing order around on the distributor. Should be the same as turning the distributor 180, right? Turned the starter over, nothing again. I took the spacer off that separates the throttle body and air filter box, and tried again. The injectors really look like they're just pouring gas. I looked down the barrels inside the intake manifold, and both of them had puddles of gas. Then I unplugged the injectors and started turning the motor over again, now it almost sounds like I can hear small poofs out of the exhaust, couldn't hear that before. Maybe the motor is trying to fire? Any new ideas?

UPDATE:
The starter doesn't seem to bog down with the plug wires 180 degrees opposite what they were at the beginning of this thread. I also rigged the throttle wide open hoping to evaporate some of the gas in the intake manifold. Please let me know if anyone has any ideas.

 

Set your timing up to where it is supposed to be, or you are going to have one helluva mess. When you are on the #1 compression stroke, it is quite a blow (120-150 psi coming out). Have a buddy or a chick crank the engine with your finger over the plug hole. You will definitely tell the difference. Then set your distributor and you may need to gauge the twist that occurs when you drop it in. Finally, fix your plug wires. You are never going to trace it down by just moving stuff around. Don't take the easy way - do it right.

 

Just re-read your post. Put all your plugs back in except #1. No need adding 7 other cylinders blowing causing confusion.

 

I'll try that. Took all of the plugs out to make turning the motor over by hand easier, and had already bought the new set anyways. Didn't really think about whether or not I'd be hearing the right hole. Should still be able to feel compression with my finger over the hole, even if I'm turning the motor by hand with the crank, right?

 

It will be hard to tell the difference between the exhaust stroke and the compression stroke due to not spinning the engine fast enough. I always spin it with the starter because of that reason. Naturally, you will get some blow on the exhaust stroke.

 

Alright. Rotor was off by 2 plugs. Started #1 where the rotor was pointing then put the rest on according to the firing order. Cranked it with the injectors unplugged and actually got a couple of hits. Hooked the injectors back up, didn't get anything. Unplugged the injectors again and cranked, and the motor actually ran on it's own a little bit. Nothing pretty, maybe 1-2 cylinders a second, but still ran without the starter for almost 15 seconds before starving. I didn't have time to twist the distributor and see if I could get it to run any better. But it wouldn't do anything at all with the injectors hooked up. Maybe there's some excess gas that needs to burn out before hooking the injectors back up? Or maybe the injectors really are putting out too much fuel?

Also, this is an original motor with 205,000 miles on it. Intake manifold and throttle body were off the motor for 3 months. Thought this info might help. Anyone have any other ideas? Again, thanks for stopping by and throwing out your ideas!

 

You say the intake and TBI was off the car for two months. Was it running with another setup?

 

It ran before the disassembly. Long story but I had to replace the intake manifold because a bolt broke off in the original one. The new intake manifold was another stock GM part. Throttle body and injectors are original to my car, along with everything but the new plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, and gaskets. All new parts are OEM style.

 

What is the intake off of? Another engine or did you order an aftermarket to fit the engine? I am wondering if it is identical replacement. Also, are you getting a good strong spark with the plug out of the cylinder, in the plug wire, but grounded to the block?

 

Not sure what kind of car the intake came off of, but it was an intake manifold off another 305 TBI. I purchased it on eBay. It is not an aftermarket part and is an identical replacement. Haven't checked spark that far down the line yet, only where the wire meets the distributor. I'll have to get out and buy an ignition spark tester to check.

 

Ok, fiddled around with the car a little more this morning, and it actually ran better today. At one point it almost idled. But, again, this is without the injectors hooked up. I'll hook them up, turn the car over, and it won't hit at all. After some gas got in the intake manifold, I unplugged the injectors and set up my camera to record what it's doing. Still has some knock like the timing isn't quite right, but when I advance or retard from this point by turning the distributor, it won't run at all. Here's a link to the youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V67kS0EraIQ

It still won't run at all with the injectors running though.

 

Can you keep it running by spraying starting fluid or something else into the intake/snorkel? If so, you can narrow it down to a fuel problem.