catsman50

whats up guys I have a stock 98 ex that I just did the oil pan gasket and distributor seal, and now the car is not starting.

I put all the spark wires back the way they came off, distributor is plugged in. anyone have any ideas? I did not move the piece that touches that cam at all.

Former User

Is there spark at the plugs? Does the fuel pump prime? Any CEL codes?

catsman50

can here fuel pump prime, no cels, and yes there is spark

Former User

Is spark bright white, weak orange, or deep blue?

Is fuel injected into the cylinders?

Have you checked the mechanical timing?

Double check the firing order:

Nichelson_Performance

Did you mark the top of the distributor and top of where the dizzy goes in at with a marker or scribe before you took it out? If not i'm willing to bet you have the timing way off. Does the engine crank hard (too much advance) or easy (too much retard)

Former User

Also, apparently some aftermarket distibutors can be installed 180-degrees out of phase.

catsman50

sorry but what is the dizzy? and no I did not mark it. I have loosened the distributor enough to turn it and sometimes when i do turn it it sounds like its sputtering a little but then I either turn it to much I think and it just goes back to cranking. its not hard cranking.

catsman50

its a stock distributor

Former User

dizzy = distributor

Having the dizzy fully advanced or retarded should not prevent the engine from starting.

catsman50

so I just tried to rotate it 180 and it didn't go in so that's out. here are my spark wires they look right to me.

Former User

catsman50

so I had to find your write up on how to check for spark and there was no spark.

Former User

Remove the coil from the distributor and do these resistance tests:

catsman50

well im going to have to wait for my dad to get home because he is getting a ohmmeter. is there anything else I could check I noticed that some of the wires going to the distributor are cracked could this be another problem?

Former User

Check whether 15A dash fuse 9 is blown.

Check whether the Blk/Yel wire attached to the coil inside the distributor has battery voltage with the key in ON(II).

catsman50

well the fuse is blown so hopefully this will solve everything?

Former User

A blown fuse 9 would definitely prevent spark.

catsman50

thanks alot hopefully this will do it. and congrats on 8k post!

Former User

Thanks. Pop in a new fuse and the engine will likely fire up now.

catsman50

car fired right up like you said! But there is another problem maybe you can help me with.

The car is overheating and i've replaced all the hoses, thermostat, and it still is over heating. The radiator is getting more pressure i've noticed after all the hoses and thermostat, and it almost wants to blow the cap off its getting so much pressure! The cap is hissing when its fully tighten down. So do you think its most likely that the radiator is blocked somewhere?

DDTECH

here's a dumb question, is it full, of coolent?

Former User

Replace the radiator cap and then bleed the system.

Low coolant, as mentioned? White smoke in the exhaust? Oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil? Bubbles in the coolant?

catsman50

well I had a old radiator in my garage from when my brother "big cat" build his motor and I put it on my car and everything is good now its ready for boost!