I just swapped in a B16A with 35k miles from HMotors in my 1998 Civic EX. The engine cranks, but does not start. Tried the B16A ECU as well as my old Y8 ECU. I can hear the fuel pump prime and have the harness properly connected. When turning over it occasionally sputters like it's trying to start but that's it. Any ideas?

 

check weather or not you're missing spark or fuel at least it cranks lol simple to narrow down from here. also just double check mechanical timing you never know....

 

Will do. Also, before it wouldn't crank because I forgot to ground the valve cover/engine, do I also have to ground the transmission or anything else?

 

 

yes but if those were bad it wouldn't even crank at all.

 

I have the battery ground, headlight harness ground, and "engine ground A".

 

Alright. I have spark; to check fuel do I just remove the four bolts on the fuel rail to pull the rail and injectors?

 

just remove the spark plugs and look at/smell them if they're wet you're getting fuel.

 

Also, check the ground on your thermostat. If you pull the rail and injectors back have someone hold the injectors tight against the fuel rail. If you don't the fuel pressure from the rail will pop one or two of your injectors off.

 

if it sounds like its attempting to start and you are getting fuel and spark check your mechanical timing.

 

check the plug wires and that they are in the right order.

 

That's what it sounds like to me

 

check firing order

 

Not something common but seen it happen before, the distributor thing that goes into the camshaft needs to be fliped around 180°

 

I got it running. There must have just been a lot of air in the fuel rail/fuel line. She finally started with perfect idle and no leaks. First swap I've done.

 

Good job man