So I just rebuilt a H23A1 for my 92 Honda Prelude and put it in the car and it won’t start. I have checked everything I can think of. It has spark and it has fuel. I just can’t figure it out. It acts as if it wants to engage but it doesn’t. The only thing that I can think of is that the Gas is bad. It has been sitting for almost a year. Could that be the problem? I mean it would be old and not as rich as it should be. PLASE HELP!!!
Thanks

 

My guess is that your timing is off.

 

So it cranks and it just won't start?

Definately double check timing and make sure you have spark at the plugs.

 

Yes it cranks and won’t start. I keep trying to retard the timing. I move the distributor back and forth and it gets better then it goes back to where it was. I also have checked the sparkplugs like 3 times. They also are in the right firing order.

 

i would take it so a person that can hook it up to a computer to see whats wrong with the ECU or timing. someone you know has to have a computer.

 

have you checked your cam timing

 

How do I check the cam timing? I dont know how to time it. Its at my dads I was going to take it someplace to have it timed. Shouldnt it start even though its not timed? I dont know maybe I am dumb.

 

To see if it is timed put the #1 cylinder at tdc then make sure the arrows on the cam gears point up.

And yes that can keep it from starting.

 

OMG, you rebuilt it and you don't know how to time it? How did you put the head back on without setting the timing?!

It very well may not start without being timed, and even worse if it's far off you will bend the valves. Get a manual or search this website and you'll find out how to set the timing with the cam gears and flywheel marks.

 

Ok I will do.

 

Like I said I am dumb. This is the first car that really worked on. So it a learning process for me, I just hope that they don’t bend. I had the head work done someplace else and my dad put the head on the block and put it in the car. It at his house cause he has all the tools. It hard for me to make it to his house because I work 3 jobs and he lives like an hour and a half away.

 

So does your dad know about Hondas? When I used to work on my car in the parents garage my dad would ask me about my lifters

 

He knows about cars. He hates hondas. He said the he would die and go to hell befor he likes Hondas. I talk to him and he did set the piston with the cams.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Auby &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">He knows about cars. He hates hondas. He said the he would die and go to hell befor he likes Hondas. I talk to him and he did set the piston with the cams.</TD></TR></TABLE>

He needs to use the marks on the flywheel to set the cam timing and ignition timing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Auby &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> So I just rebuilt a H23A1 for my 92 Honda Prelude and put it in the car and it won’t start. I have checked everything I can think of. It has spark and it has fuel. I just can’t figure it out. It acts as if it wants to engage but it doesn’t. The only thing that I can think of is that the Gas is bad. It has been sitting for almost a year. Could that be the problem? I mean it would be old and not as rich as it should be. PLASE HELP!!!
Thanks
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that is your answer right thur

 

and there's an easy way to check that!!!

 

OK thanks will let him know. Its so hard to say this is what needs do be done. He is like a little butterfly, so fragle. He get upset and is like you dont think I can do this your talk to other people. Hes crazy. But i will tell him because it needs to be done!