KA not starting maybe timing problem?

[TougeSR20Kid]

So I finished a dohc swap about a week ago and it was running really rough even when the distributor timing was set properly so common sense dictated that the cam timing was off so I pulled the valve cove and I was correct cam timing was retarded a few teeth... So naturally I concluded that the chain had skipped and with this in mind, I purchased a new tensioner... Yesterday I properly set the cam timing, installed the new tensioner, put it all back together and set the distributor timing (and yes I made sure I was at top dead when I set everything). I know there's no issue with fuel or spark or compression because the motor was running just two days ago... I know the timing is set because I went by the book, but still its not running, any suggestions / thoughts / comments? Additionally I did notice that when I initially pulled the distributor cap it was firing on cylinder 3 at tdc? And it was running like that, anyone got some insight?

And to clarify things for those process of elimination folks I have a new cap and rotor, new plugs, and new wires also tested the coil and so I know it's good.

[ka4life87]

Its a real pain in the ass to set dizzys on ka's, one tooth that u are off and it will run horribly or not at all, set crank to tdc and make sure rotor is pointing to number one, to verify engine is tdc cam lobes for intake and exhaust on cylinder 1 should be facing opposite each other, exhaust lobes facing exhaust manifold and intake lobes facing intake manifold, if all checks then timing chain has to be off

[TougeSR20Kid]

Yeah I checked all of that and the rotor is sitting at position 1 the cams and the chain are also set properly for tdc. The chain being off shouldn't be the issue as the chain is in good shape and it's got a brand new tensioner, unless you really think the lower tensioner is the issue? I have never heard of the lower chain skipping teeth but correct me if I'm wrong

[s13drob]

I had a similar issue with my friends ka. We set the dizzy correctly and it didn't start. I ended up pulling the #1 spark plug and pushed the plug wire in place like it should be with a spark plug. I cranked the engine manually to where it was on the compression stroke and pushed the plug wire out. Then I set it to where the cylinder was a tdc by sticking a 3/8 extension in the plug hole and figured out the highest point.

So doing that it was at tdc and the marks on the pulley weren't close. Idk why but it wasn't. I set the dizzy at #1 cylinder spark and stabbed it in. Started like a charm. Give it a shot.

[TougeSR20Kid]

Tdc is on and I stabbed it at pos 1 and even tried to see if it was just 180 off and still nothing.

Any other ideas?

[GroundPerformance]

Haven't had issues with timing SR and KAs. However I usually do mine with the Valve Cover off so I can see everything lines up. TDC Crank, TDC Cyl1, Both Cams facing away from each other, Pin on the distributor/CAS lines up. Usually does the trick for me. GL!

[Walperstyle]

So your DOHC swap an internal or external coil Distributor? ...and do you have the proper ECU for it?

[TougeSR20Kid]

External, I'm pretty sure they didn't make internals for KADE. As far as I know theres only two different types of distributors hitachi and Mitsubishi and they only vary in terms of how the rotor mounts onto it... As for the other question it has a dual cam ecu from a manual s13, don't remember the number but I looked it up. Besides thats not the issue it was running fine just a week ago

[ka4life87]

The lower chain could be off if u didnt pull off the timing cover to verify mark on crank sprocket, its really easy for the lower chain to fall off the sprocket and skip a couple teeth, if it was running before then it has to be a timing issue, i would pull timing cover off to verify

[TougeSR20Kid]

The lower tensioner seemed fine though when I pulled the top cover I looked at the lower chain and pushed on it and the tensioner and it seemed to be taught of course once I started moving the crank it loosened but that's because the oil pressure was lost

[Walperstyle]

External, I'm pretty sure they didn't make internals for KADE. As far as I know theres only two different types of distributors hitachi and Mitsubishi and they only vary in terms of how the rotor mounts onto it... As for the other question it has a dual cam ecu from a manual s13, don't remember the number but I looked it up. Besides thats not the issue it was running fine just a week ago

Yes, they did make internal coil dizzy's for KA24de engines. Thus, you have to make sure you have the correct harness, and its always nice to have the same ECU to match.

If you still want to check your timing, I made two Ka24de timing videos, search youtube. 'upper timing explained' and you should see my 'lower timing explained' video as well.

[TougeSR20Kid]

Ok well regardless of that it definitely has an external coil and a harness and ecu for the same... This is definitely not an issue of something being bad or me not having the right stuff because the car was running with the swap done and with all the equipment the way it is just one week ago and now it's not, the only thing I did was properly set the cam timing