99 Miata. I changed Head Gasket and Clutch. Put erverything back together and it will not start. It turns over and sounds like it is trying to backfire.
I have checked the timing about a dozen times. Crank sproket set, Intake Pulley I up, Exhaust Pulley E up. right on the marks. front cam lobes out.
sparks are firing and fuel is flowing. I have done similar work on miatas before, but this one has me stumped!

 

Go off of the marks above the stat housing.
If yours is correct, check the gap on the crank position sensor.

 

odd.

that pic sure helps though!

 

My timing is right on. just like the pic. The CPS was not moved and it was running fine before I started the work.

 

Did you remember to torque the head bolts? How about firing order? Got the injectors plugged in correctly?

 

Torqued at 60 lbs. and checked firing order about 10 times!

 

Everything plugged back in? Vacuum hose off? You didn't accidently swap in/ex cams did ya?

 

Provide pictures of cam gears lined up plz.

 

Everything is back where it is supposed to be. I've gone over everything several times. grounds are good. put a timing light on it and it flashes right on mark. I have done this many times but something is definitley not right with this one.

 

Give me a little bit and I will get pic

 

Did you hit the cam sensor when you installed the valve cover? Did you leave the cams attached to the head when it was removed? Maybe when you set it down you bent a valve(s)? Compression test that bitc h.

 

Cam gears in that position should have the pins in the 12 o'clock position. Front intake and exhaust lobes on cylinder #1 should be pointing toward the outside of the motor on both sides. Maybe you relocated the cam gears in the wrong position?

 

cams were not attached. Did a leak test on valves. All good.

 

[IMG]C:\Temp\pics\IMG_1175.JPG[/IMG]

 

Main block to chassis ground strap?

I always seem to fail to install these when I pull engines/head(s)

 

^that wont work.

You need to attach it using the "manage attachments" thing.

 

There is a ground by the exhaust that is attached. Is that what your talking bout?
Having trouble with loading pic. Quick instructions on getting a pic in?

 

cam gears are correct.

 

Hopefully this is a better pic

 

That's the one, just figured I'd ask.

If by chance you do this again and you are NOT replacing the timing belt, put a dot of white out on the timing belt and the lower pulley so you can get it back in place, and ZIP TIE the cam gears to the belt in 2-3 places, then take pics before you disassemble. It's full of win and awesome, trust me.