Car won't start after head gasket and camshaft install

[dylanc]

Hey guys,

Having trouble getting my car started after installing new camshafts (Tomei Type B's), and installing a new metal Apexi headgasket. Wasn't getting any spark with my OEM ignition setup (which was working fine before I opened her up, which is a bit odd) and converted to Ls2 truck coils, now I have spark in all 6 cylinders.

Compression is great, 160psi across the board (before and after installing head gasket and camshafts), has spark in all cylinders, injectors are firing, and 43psi of fuel pressure. Visible petrol is on the spark plugs after cranking. Will crank strong but just won't turn over. Head was professionally cleaned and decked by machine shop. Rechecked timing and it's correct. Cranking rpm is 135 (seems low?) according to PowerFC.

Other things to mention is I've deleted the IACV and AAC and replaced with a manual valve, and I'm not using the OEM oil pressure sender anymore.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dylan

[leung23c]

Unlikely but try to turn off the boost controller function if you are not using one.

Also may need to adjust the ignition dwell time table....

But I don't think any of the stuff above will help, but it won't hurt to try...

Otherwise you need to find a tuner who knows what he's doing and adjust the cold start enrichment table and whatnot.....

[amnash]

if it was running before and not now, then its guaranteed something to do with whats been worked on.
when i did my rb20 i was having the same problem and was to proud to go through all the work of taking the timing belt off again and spent days trying other stuff. well cylinders glazed over from all the cranking and compression was ****.

take top timing belt cover off and check cam timing with cam/crank pulley marks.

[caliber676]

you got spark, you got fuel, you got compression. The only variable that wont cause a running with all those is incorrect timing. Check your timing, especially because CAS was removed

http://www.gtrusablog.com/2012/05/rb26dett-ignition-timing-adjustment-and.html

Your manual iacv could be causing a poor afr but you should have the engine trying to start and die rather than nothing but cranking.

[hp44incgtr]

I call timing do it again get an different set of eyes

[Skym]

When you skim the head the cam timing can be retarded, so need to adjust cam timing. This would most likely affect CAS timing as well, which if exhaust is adjusted, the CAS would need to be adjusted to suit, ECU ignition map to suit, etc. Basically if get stuck, send car to a tuner if you can who can set it properly.

Here's more info -

http://www.kelford.co.nz/sole-purpose-of-degreeing-your-cam

[amnash]

Fix this?

[dylanc]

Thanks for the replies guys, have not had time to work on the car. Going to try these suggestions tomorrow.

[dylanc]

Crank timing was off by 5 degrees - going to put things back together, retime, and try to start the car again over the weekend.

[dylanc]

Took off crank pulley and lower timing cover timing is absolutely spot on, had two people confirm as well. angle of last photo makes it look a bit off but it's right on the money.

Counted the notches as well, 47 and 38 like supposed to be. Going to check compression (again).

[NoLimit0596]

oh man your totally off you need align with the dot point not the aligh with deggree line......i hope you didn bent any valve

The crank is ok.

[dylanc]

Oh boy, this is gonna be fun. Engine rotates by hand with no metal to metal contact so fingers crossed things might be ok, but expecting some carnage.

[leung23c]

Are your greddy cam "sproket" chinese knock-off? Because I'm sure it's spelt "sprocket"

Just teasing ~

[NoLimit0596]

Are your greddy cam "sproket" chinese knock-off? Because I'm sure it's spelt "sprocket"

Just teasing ~

Lol no...it real one ! Maybe Greddy made mistake

[dylanc]

Bit of an update:

Fixed timing and car starts right up, albeit roughly (needs a tune).

Bit concerning though is that I lost some compression in my 6th cylinder, dropped about 30 psi.

The exhaust cam was heavily advanced so it would have avoided the piston entirely on the piston's upstroke, and the intake cam heavily retarded so there was no valve to piston contact when looking at a 4 cycle combustion cycle diagram, and if there was contact cylinder 1 would be affected as well since they fire at the same time.

Could excessive cranking without the engine firing cause any ringland to cylinder wall sealing issues?