Robinson.R

I just finished rebuilding my engine (12a) and putting it all back together, had a little trouble getting it started though had to give it a lot of gas and it ran good (so i know its mechanically sound), but then i turned it off and tried to set the timing and now i can't seem to get it started again, also after trying for i while to start it I took one of the spark plugs out to check it and noticed it was wet ( i assume gas).

so i have a few questions

- I'v heard setting timing on the 12a is not the same as normal cars
how do i do this then ?

- Can the spark plugs be ruined if they stay wet to long ?

- Whats a good checklist i should run through before giving up and
taking it to the shop.

- And last but not least WHY IS IT NOT STARTING

aussiesmg

iTrader: (1)

You can dry the plugs with brake cleaner very effectively, make sure you get the gas out of the chambers while the plugs are out, just sounds flooded to me.

Robinson.R

Well I let it set for about a week lol that should be long enough for it to dry, anyway it did tha same thing, it just keeps flooding

Dan_s_young

iTrader: (1)

Haha ive had a similar problem before. Ok first of all are you 100% sure that your timing is set properly right now. If you removed the front pulley off you engine there is 4 ways it can go back on, and if you have it on the wrong way the timing is going to be way out. If it is I can tell you steps to get it back on properly, just ask...

I agree that it sounds like your motor is very flooded at this point, what I recommend doing is pulling the distributor out and resetting the timing again. While you have all of the spark plugs out try turning the engine over backwards by hand (may pour gas out the plug holes) Then disconnect the trailing ignitor (therefore the fuel pump will not work) and turn the engine over a few times with the plugs out. BE VERY CAREFUL BECAUSE THIS IS VERY VERY FLAMMABLE!!! Just throwing that warning in because flash fires suck, I know...

Anyways after turning it over without the plugs a few times, clean the plugs up. Then replace them and try to get it started again, I presume the problem of why your car is flooding is because you have your timing set wrong. Make sure to reconnect the disconnected trailing ignitor wire.

The normal way to set timing on these cars is to put the Timing light on the L1 spark plug wire and shine the timing light on the front pulley of the engine and the mark should line up with the indicator pin and line on the front pulley. (if any of this doesn't make sense just ask, im just saying things fast)

Like I said I have had similar problems before and it sounds like you timing is just out again, once you get all the fuel flushed out you can reset the timing again and see if it works. These cars tend to flood pretty easily and letting it sit will not unflood it... Also if it has been sitting for a long period of time flooded I would do a oil change just to make sure there isn't alot of gas in the oil.

Good luck and feel free to ask more questions because I had similar problems for quite some time before...

-oh, and one more tip, try heating the spark plugs up with a lighter (the tip) before putting them back in, it may help more then you would think...

Robinson.R

would you mind steping me through the timing, and how do i make sure if i have the pully on right or wrong ?


and thanks for the speedy reply

Dan_s_young

iTrader: (1)

Ok, this method kind of sucks but this is how i had to do it. I took off the flywheel inspection plate, (located just above the exhaust manifold, just a plate held on by 2 10mm bolts) and there is one point on the flywheel that will line up with this inspection plate (when you do it you will see what I mean, one spot of the flywheel is skinnier).

Then when the skinny part is lined up you ensure that the timing point on the front pulley is lined up with the indicator mark. Your may have to clean the pulley up a bunch to see this mark that I am talking about. Then after you get the front pulley on in the right position leave the indicator mark lined up with the mark on the front pulley (line it up with the yellow mark for leading igniton). Pull the distributor right out, and line up the mark on the dist housing with the mark on the dist gear. Then drop the distributor back into position. At this point take the dist cap off and look to see if the rotor inside is pointing to the L1 postion marking on the distributor cap.

If the rotor matches up with the L1 position your timing should be close enough to get the engine started and then you fine tune it after you get it started by pivoting the distributor and lining up the yellow mark with the timing light and indicator pin. You may need to pull the distributor out a couple of times and try again in order to get this just so, the dist gear turns as you mesh the gears into place, and being one tooth out dramatically affects timing.

I covered alot of information pretty quickily here, let me know if you need anything said with more clarity/pictures.

Robinson.R

I'll try that and tell you if it works

thanx