Thread: Sr20de not starting after fitting s3 cams(HELP)

Ok i have looked at that,thanks,and yes mine is all the same,checked and checked again,if you have a look at the two pics i posted,there are in the same postion,i also agree about the distributor,i have done that before too.So all my timing marks are on but will not start up !

Do you have spark? Can you smell fuel once you take a spark plug out? Start checking the basics. Even if you are off by one tooth the car will start, just run like crap. Also check your spark plug wires for correct order. The cap should be labeled 1,2,3,4. #1 cylinder is on the passenger side.

I have intentionally rotated my exhaust camshaft backwards one tooth and the car did not start until the distributor was rotated fully forward and throttle applied. It did not start on its own and now I have custom valve reliefs on the top of my pistons. (lucky I did not bend or break anything, that was on BC Stage 2 cams)

Really? I didnt think the DE was even close to that with stock pistons? I stand corrected.

engine cranking1 video-2013-03-27-18-33-37 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

engine cranking 2 video-2013-03-27-18-28-57 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

DE cams are a pain in the ass. I have bad news for you. I could be wrong, and I hope I am.

I just watched the videos. To me, it sounds like the motor was not at TDC when you pulled the stock cams out. The reason being, your car sounds exactly like my 91 SE-R did when I got lazy during an S3 cam install, and wasn't at TDC. The cams turned but the motor would not start.

What I didn't know at the time was, the constant trying to start it up was bending the valves, and they were all ruined.

We had to pull the head off and install new valves. I still have the bent valves so I can post a pic.

As someone else said, the motor will start if the cam timing is off a tooth or two but it will run like crap.

If you've ruled out everything else, such as the simple things (always start simple) - fuel, spark plugs, spark plug wires connected to the distributor in the correct order, timing chain tensioner has engaged since it was reinstalled etc. I would start to worry about the motor.

When I put cams on..I always verify that the #1 piston is up by taking out the spark plug and put the dipstick in the hole, 2nd mark from the left on the crank pulley, cams are set at 10 and 12 o'clock and 20 links in between them.. before taking off the old and when installing the new..

You can also try moving the distributor... advancing or retarding it to see if that starts it..

Completely stupid question,but I have to ask.Are you sure you put the cams in the right place;exhaust for exhaust,intake for intake? I've done stupider stuff by not paying attention.Don't be offended,it happens.

I will have another look at the timing in the morning,i think i may of skipped one tooth on the intake cam,a fella on the primera forum,reckons it is one tooth out looking at the pics,so hopefully its just that,i turn the intake cam for the link and see whats happens,fingers crossed !