Never even thought about that. I will check as soon as I get home!
I sure as hell hope it is on backwards so I can get it fixed and be done with this one!
I will update later!

 

I don't think that's possible on the 99's? Plus, he said he's getting spark.

 

It is possible to put them on backwards and you will still probably get spark. It would just be sparking at the wrong times since it does not know the correct spot that the crank is at.

 

You mea install the pulley/balancer backwards? If you look at the op's pics, it looks to be correct? There is only the crank sprocket and the pulley.

 

Its not the pulley/balancer, on the 96+ miata there is the crank sensor timing plate that goes between the pulley boss and the big pulley. The timing plate will go on either way.

 

I did this on my engine install, it's a stupid move, but I did it because I didn't think about it. Silly 99+ using a VR sensor. Turn that plate around and I'll bet it starts on the first try.

It would crank, and then bog HARD and not fire off. Sometimes it would sputter a little bit, but not start. Takes 10min to fix.

 

Is that what those 4 bolts are for? I always just spin off the crank bolt and remove it as one unit. So if you remove the four 10mm bolts the wheel will come off the back?

 

yes.

 

Scott, you are a genius!
Had it on backwards. Fliipped it and put everything back together and started right up!
Thanks to everyone who posted trying to help! Great Forum!

 

No problem man, glad it was a quick fix. Took me a month to figure it out when I did the exact same thing.

 

Now that I have converted to 99+ cam/crank sensors, whenever I have to put on the timing plate I refer to picture to make sure it is on right. It is one of those little things that can cause annoying problems.

 

Absolutely! I have a picture in my repair manual now!

 

I wrote "front - stupid" on mine with a yellow paint pen when I first took mine apart to do the timing belt. So glad to see this ended well!