no start after gt40x install

bluekarta · April 18th, 2009, 10:28 AM

I Just got done installing my gt40x heads and as the title states my car wont start.....it will however trun over and fire once but then dies right after. I know there is a "no start" thread some place on here but i can't find it. I was hoping if somone had it they could send it to me. Also any ideas on why my car won't start Please share. I have fuel and spark...so im a little lost.

1slo5.0 · April 18th, 2009, 10:44 AM

Are the rockers adjusted correctly? Did you try moving the distributor around to mess with the timing? Its really hard to get the timing right on without the engine running so most of the time when you install a distributor you are going to have to play with it a bit to get the engine to run.

e3sean · April 18th, 2009, 10:50 AM

+1

make sure you are at top dead center (if you dont know how search it.) thats the biggest thing is getting that right then finding the right spot to get it to initially start. also you can turn the idle up a little that uausally helps to get it to start the first time.

91cobra5.0 · April 18th, 2009, 11:51 AM

i had the same problem with my car when i installed my heads.....

with the motor not running turn the crank by hand with a big socket and extension until the timing marker is set at 0, then take of the cap from your distributor and you have to unscrew the bolt holding down the distributor, pick it up and put it back in so that the rotor is facing to the #1 spark plug wire on the cap. you have to pick the distributor up and put it back in a few times to get it pointing as much to the #1 spark plug wire as possible....

after i did that my car fired right up

bluekarta · April 18th, 2009, 04:46 PM

Im pritty sure the rockers are adjusted right...but im gonna go play with the timing right now. i hope thats the key.

charliebucket · April 18th, 2009, 05:13 PM

i would crack that idle screw a few turns up to get things going, then you can at least get things going to set your timing. i have these same heads, and i had some problems on first start.

bluekarta · April 18th, 2009, 08:41 PM

update...got the thing started by playing with the timeing but it runs like a parapoligic.....it just about holds idel and backfires like crazy.

i did notice that there was a little coolent in where the dizzy gos in...thoughts, Intake, Head gasket, how can i start to rule these out ?

Smirnoff · April 18th, 2009, 08:44 PM

my first thought would be the intake mani gaskets if the coolant is right by the dizzy... see if you can get it to idle and set your timing if it still runs crappy you might have a vac leak somewhere

93mustank · April 18th, 2009, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by bluekarta

update...got the thing started by playing with the timeing but it runs like a parapoligic.....it just about holds idel and backfires like crazy. i did notice that there was a little coolent in where the dizzy gos in...thoughts, Intake, Head gasket, how can i start to rule these out ?

Do you own a timing light?

bluekarta · April 18th, 2009, 09:04 PM

yea....i wish it was that simple...but i think ive just about ruled timing out its set at 10 degrees base.

1slo5.0 · April 20th, 2009, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by bluekarta

yea....i wish it was that simple...but i think ive just about ruled timing out its set at 10 degrees base.

How did you set the timing? Believe it or not, alot of people screw up setting timing on computer controlled vehicles.

grnstang · April 20th, 2009, 02:26 PM

yeah...how did you set the timing? you have to unplug a thing on the distributor, set it, and plug it back in

bluekarta · April 22nd, 2009, 01:10 PM

update...so i determend that the lower intake never sealed right. I drained the oil and found more coolent then oil.

so i tore into it and redid the build from the lower intake up. Now though im back to square one, i can't get the thing to fire at all.. this is what i have for info so far....The plugs are wet with gas..the coil is fireing...i tested for spark on the #1 plug and its there....as far as timing is conserned i stuck a screw driver in the #1 plug hole, found tdc, then stabed the dizzy in with rotor facing the #1 plug terminal. i used a timing light why the car was being cranked and was able to set the timing at 10 degrees base.

SO i have gas, spark , and i think timing. So any ideas why im not driving this pony on a sunny 80 degree day.

1slo5.0 · April 22nd, 2009, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by bluekarta

update...so i determend that the lower intake never sealed right. I drained the oil and found more coolent then oil. so i tore into it and redid the build from the lower intake up. Now though im back to square one, i can't get the thing to fire at all.. this is what i have for info so far....The plugs are wet with gas..the coil is fireing...i tested for spark on the #1 plug and its there....as far as timing is conserned i stuck a screw driver in the #1 plug hole, found tdc, then stabed the dizzy in with rotor facing the #1 plug terminal. i used a timing light why the car was being cranked and was able to set the timing at 10 degrees base. SO i have gas, spark , and i think timing. So any ideas why im not driving this pony on a sunny 80 degree day.

Are you sure its on the compression stroke? I'd pull the passengerside valve cover and set TDC on number one that way rather than shooting in the dark with the screwdriver method. That way you will know your timing is in the right area and not 180 degrees off.

88-gt-t-top · April 22nd, 2009, 04:10 PM

Yeah except for the leaks, this is exactly what was going on with my first start up... it turned out I was 180* out. I didn't pull my valve cover, if you have a buddy helping out plug the #1 plug hole with your finger(get a good seal) wait until you feel it build pressure knowing now you're on comp. stroke find TDC and you should be good. If you have no friends +1 on the valve cover removal. Good Luck.

93hatch · April 22nd, 2009, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by 88-gt-t-top

Yeah except for the leaks, this is exactly what was going on with my first start up... it turned out I was 180* out. I didn't pull my valve cover, if you have a buddy helping out plug the #1 plug hole with your finger(get a good seal) wait until you feel it build pressure knowing now you're on comp. stroke find TDC and you should be good. If you have no friends +1 on the valve cover removal. Good Luck.

stanger92 · April 22nd, 2009, 07:55 PM

I had the same problem on my 94. make sure you have attached the ground wire from the back of the motor to the firewall. thats is what happenned to mine and had the same problems.

1slo5.0 · April 22nd, 2009, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by stanger92

I had the same problem on my 94. make sure you have attached the ground wire from the back of the motor to the firewall. thats is what happenned to mine and had the same problems.

Good point!

bluekarta · April 24th, 2009, 09:10 PM

just wanted to say thanx to all the help the no start was deff the timing it was 180 off. the thing starts with no problem now

but now i have another problem...

My car has ruff idle and a constant miss going down the road. Things Done: I have the timing set to 12 degrees. checked and double checked plug wiring, put new plugs + wires in today with no results, put new coil on. Also sprayed some carb cleaner all around to check for vacume leaks with no luck. so that being said any ideas???? ps is there a way that i can double check my valve adj. with out pulling the lower intake off ? im thinking thats the next place im gonna look tomorrow...

1slo5.0 · April 24th, 2009, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by bluekarta

just wanted to say thanx to all the help the no start was deff the timing it was 180 off. the thing starts with no problem now but now i have another problem... My car has ruff idle and a constant miss going down the road. Things Done: I have the timing set to 12 degrees. checked and double checked plug wiring, put new plugs + wires in today with no results, put new coil on. Also sprayed some carb cleaner all around to check for vacume leaks with no luck. so that being said any ideas???? ps is there a way that i can double check my valve adj. with out pulling the lower intake off ? im thinking thats the next place im gonna look tomorrow...

Did you use the right firing order? 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8

You can adjust valves by removing the valve covers. No need to pull the lower intake.

April 18th, 2009, 10:44 AM	#2
1slo5.0 MM Ninjas! 1990 Mustang LX 9.36@143 mph Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Fond du Lac, Wisconsin Posts: 11,375 iTrader: 1 reviews	Are the rockers adjusted correctly? Did you try moving the distributor around to mess with the timing? Its really hard to get the timing right on without the engine running so most of the time when you install a distributor you are going to have to play with it a bit to get the engine to run. __________________ My daily driver has 16 cylinders and 4400hp @ 1000 rpm.... ***1988 Mustang GT - Stock....almost

April 18th, 2009, 10:50 AM	#3
e3sean I Post Entirely Way Too Much 1988 lx 9.68@142 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: goldsboro NC Posts: 5,609 iTrader: 0 reviews	+1 make sure you are at top dead center (if you dont know how search it.) thats the biggest thing is getting that right then finding the right spot to get it to initially start. also you can turn the idle up a little that uausally helps to get it to start the first time. __________________

April 20th, 2009, 02:26 PM	#12
grnstang Hardcore Enthusiast 91 LX 13.7@101 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Norwalk OH Posts: 1,426 iTrader: 1 reviews	yeah...how did you set the timing? you have to unplug a thing on the distributor, set it, and plug it back in __________________

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April 18th, 2009, 10:28 AM	#1
bluekarta Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 23 iTrader: 0 reviews	no start after gt40x install I Just got done installing my gt40x heads and as the title states my car wont start.....it will however trun over and fire once but then dies right after. I know there is a "no start" thread some place on here but i can't find it. I was hoping if somone had it they could send it to me. Also any ideas on why my car won't start Please share. I have fuel and spark...so im a little lost.

April 18th, 2009, 11:51 AM	#4
91cobra5.0 Hardcore Enthusiast 98 Cobra Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 2,057 iTrader: 0 reviews	i had the same problem with my car when i installed my heads..... with the motor not running turn the crank by hand with a big socket and extension until the timing marker is set at 0, then take of the cap from your distributor and you have to unscrew the bolt holding down the distributor, pick it up and put it back in so that the rotor is facing to the #1 spark plug wire on the cap. you have to pick the distributor up and put it back in a few times to get it pointing as much to the #1 spark plug wire as possible.... after i did that my car fired right up

April 18th, 2009, 04:46 PM	#5
bluekarta Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 23 iTrader: 0 reviews	Im pritty sure the rockers are adjusted right...but im gonna go play with the timing right now. i hope thats the key.

April 18th, 2009, 05:13 PM	#6
charliebucket Newbie 1989 gt 347 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: central new york Posts: 8 Blog Entries: 1 iTrader: 0 reviews	i would crack that idle screw a few turns up to get things going, then you can at least get things going to set your timing. i have these same heads, and i had some problems on first start.

April 18th, 2009, 08:41 PM	#7
bluekarta Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 23 iTrader: 0 reviews	update...got the thing started by playing with the timeing but it runs like a parapoligic.....it just about holds idel and backfires like crazy. i did notice that there was a little coolent in where the dizzy gos in...thoughts, Intake, Head gasket, how can i start to rule these out ?

April 18th, 2009, 08:44 PM	#8
Smirnoff Enthusiast 1982 GT t-top no proof of purchase Join Date: May 2008 Location: N.E.PA Posts: 717 iTrader: 0 reviews	my first thought would be the intake mani gaskets if the coolant is right by the dizzy... see if you can get it to idle and set your timing if it still runs crappy you might have a vac leak somewhere

April 18th, 2009, 09:04 PM	#10
bluekarta Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 23 iTrader: 0 reviews	yea....i wish it was that simple...but i think ive just about ruled timing out its set at 10 degrees base.

April 22nd, 2009, 01:10 PM	#13
bluekarta Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 23 iTrader: 0 reviews	update...so i determend that the lower intake never sealed right. I drained the oil and found more coolent then oil. so i tore into it and redid the build from the lower intake up. Now though im back to square one, i can't get the thing to fire at all.. this is what i have for info so far....The plugs are wet with gas..the coil is fireing...i tested for spark on the #1 plug and its there....as far as timing is conserned i stuck a screw driver in the #1 plug hole, found tdc, then stabed the dizzy in with rotor facing the #1 plug terminal. i used a timing light why the car was being cranked and was able to set the timing at 10 degrees base. SO i have gas, spark , and i think timing. So any ideas why im not driving this pony on a sunny 80 degree day.

April 22nd, 2009, 07:55 PM	#17
stanger92 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2 iTrader: 0 reviews	I had the same problem on my 94. make sure you have attached the ground wire from the back of the motor to the firewall. thats is what happenned to mine and had the same problems.

April 24th, 2009, 09:10 PM	#19
bluekarta Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 23 iTrader: 0 reviews	just wanted to say thanx to all the help the no start was deff the timing it was 180 off. the thing starts with no problem now but now i have another problem... My car has ruff idle and a constant miss going down the road. Things Done: I have the timing set to 12 degrees. checked and double checked plug wiring, put new plugs + wires in today with no results, put new coil on. Also sprayed some carb cleaner all around to check for vacume leaks with no luck. so that being said any ideas???? ps is there a way that i can double check my valve adj. with out pulling the lower intake off ? im thinking thats the next place im gonna look tomorrow...

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