Wierd Problem with Ka?

[msanchez]

I have a problem. I just bought an s14 (ka) with some timing issues for dirt cheap. The problem is this. I set the motor to tdc, line up the dizzy and adjust as needed to get it started. It will run as long as i dont turn it off. If the car is shut off after driving, it just cranks and wont start.
Ive already tried replacing the dizzy with a known working one. No luck.

Ill get it to run, shut it off, set it to tdc again, open the distributor and the rotor is no longer facing the first cylinder on the cap like it should be (like i set it)

So what can be the problem.
I checked (replaced) the distributor
I pulled the valve cover, the cam lobes are in the correct positions.
I unplugged the knock sensor and the problem is still there, so that not it.
last thing i can think of testing is the ecu? a friend is going to let me put his in my car tomorrow to see if it fixes the problem.

Any one else dealt with this problem? anyone have any ideas?
thanks in advanced.

any help is greatly appreciated. thank you

[Not You]

Are you using a timing gun? Almost sounds like you might be a tooth off. How is it when you apply a load?

[ms!3]

timing a ka is a bitch. this helped me out.

Technical Articles: HOW-TO: Fix Your Timing Chain Rattle (http://www.nicoclub.com/articles.php?id=105618)

[godrifttoday]

timing a ka is a bitch. This helped me out.

technical articles: How-to: Fix your timing chain rattle (http://www.nicoclub.com/articles.php?id=105618)


amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[modulation]

Ill get it to run, shut it off, set it to tdc again, open the distributor and the rotor is no longer facing the first cylinder on the cap like it should be (like i set it)


Please don't hate if you already know this I'm just trying to help.

1. There are two top dead centers, are you sure that when you looked at it the 2nd time it wasn't at TDC exhaust stroked?

2. I just went through something just like this. Distributor was off a tooth.
Can you afford a timing light? That would be the best..
If you can get it to idle, let it idle, and adjust the dizzy while the car is idling. I'd bet it'll run better probably all the way counter-clockwise. If it runs better all the way ccw or cw then it's off a tooth.

3. When you "stab" the dizzy it rotates a tooth or two. You are suppose to line up the U notch in the top of the dizzy with the little mark on the bottom of the dizzy no the big mark. (Look at a 1995 FSM and read the TEXT. DO NOT LOOK AT THE PICTURE ITS WRONG.)

4. Since you bought the car and have no idea what happened, you might have to take off the valve cover, put the car at TDC and make sure the cams are lined up correctly, maybe the person you bought the car from have a cam off a tooth.