HELP!...Barely starts and runs.....

[jaaf]

Need some help here. Just got everything back together after replacing the head and now I have these symtoms.
After a 5-10sec long cranking it will finally start, then it just hovers at 500rpm even with the throttle wide open. Moving the throttle will not effect engine speed at all and moving the distributor changes nothing. One strange thing is with the key in the on position and the engine off, when I rotate the distibutor it makes a sparking sound and the fuel pump will cycle on/off, just like when you first turn the key on.
Please help.
Thanks, Jon.

[SVOeric]

that sparking thing is normal, and it should do that...

you need to start from scratch on your timing...

turn the crank to TDC, and check the cam, to make sure your belt hasn't slipped a noch (this is what your problem sounds like)

if it don't show up on the first turn, dont panic, it is just 90 degrees off, just turn the crank around one more time, this should bring up your timing mark on the cam gear.

pull the dist. cap off, make sure your rotor is pointing at #1, and make sure the rotor is turning in the direction you think it is.

Check & Re-check your firing order. Make sure you have the plug wires on correctly.. it is very easy to screw them up.

[bigdummie]

what is the firing order starting clockwise from the number one marked on the distributor?

[svono50]

Russ, The firing order for the 2.3L is 1-3-4-2 moving clockwise from the #1 position.

[GT350R]

If the ignition checks out make sure you did not foget your engine or body grounds. Sounds just like when you forget one of your grounds.