I'm doing a timing belt change and my miata won't start. It cranks and just backfires. I've testing for fuel and spark and I'm getting both.
I just wanted to make sure I have the timing set up correctly. I've adjusted the timing 4 times already and it looks like everything is timed correctly but it still doesn't start.

I took several photos in different angles. From above it looks like they are off but from a bottom view they look like they're correct. There are 19 tooth between the two cam marks.
Also I believe the trigger wheel is on correctly, the little nipple thing is be facing forward, right? And the concave part facing the engine?

Before the belt change the car would start up normally. It's a 95 with a VVT swap in it, running on MS3.
Is there anyway to use megasquirt to check for possible issues?

 

 

I'm stupid.

 

Really? I thought the "I" on the exhaust cam should be pointing toward the marking on the timing cover, or have I been reading it wrong this whole time?

Yes cylinder #1 is at TDC, the notch and the dorito on the crank is lined up.

Here is a photo of the cam lobes. Sorry for the excessive flare, camera lens is broken

 

Nope. OP has it right.

 

I'm double stupid.

 

Does the VVT have a crank postion sensor as well?
If so, have you checked the gap on it?

I hear that if the gap is wrong, you'll have similar issues.

 

Oh crap, I did not know that, I will check and report back.

Yeah, the gap is correct. The spacing is about a thickness of a credit card.

 

Just checked, cylinder #1 is at TDC.

 

 

It's possible to install your crank sensor wheel backwards. Post some pics of your pulley assembly. Are you on a MS? Can you post a high speed log to show whether you're getting cam and crank signals?

 

Here's a picture of the trigger wheel. The nub should be facing forward right?
Just needa make sure everything is on correctly before I put back together and log the data.

 

Nope. The detent nub that marks TDC should have the convex side pointing aft towards the engine. You have it in backwards.

 

Damn it, I read somewhere that the nub should be facing forward (as in forward facing towards me, not the engine). I will try it and report back.

 

Car started, trigger wheel was on backwards
Thanks everyone.

Though it died after, but started up again after I gave it some throttle. And my AFR read 22 and stayed there. Normally afterwards it'll go to the correct AFR reading, any adjustments I need to make? Remove O2 sensor and calibrate in open air?

EDIT: Nvm, all is good.