94 Camaro Z28 wont start after maint.

1994 CHEVROLET CAMARO
V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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SDG30064
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1994 Camaro Z28 coughs then shuts off after a few seconds when ignition is turned. Head gaskets recently replaced, new radiator and water pump. then i discovered the waterpump drivgear and coupler were stripped out on the engine side, replaced them and current problem started.
Mar 16, 2011 at 12:33 AM
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SDG30064
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Replaced the battery,thinking it may be the distributor or the timing chain is off i little(I had to remove them to change the water pump drive gear.
Aug 17, 2019 at 5:04 PM
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DWB812
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It is most likely that the timing was corrupted when you removed the distributor or timing chain. Start with No.1 Cylinder at TDC (compression stroke) and make sure the timing chain is aligned correctly and distributor is on No 1 cap post. Set timing to spec.
Aug 17, 2019 at 5:04 PM
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SDG30064
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Replaced the timing chain and gears and bought a new distributor, is there anything specific that I need to do to set the distributor?
Aug 17, 2019 at 5:04 PM
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DWB812
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Yes, as I said it needs to be set into the cam shaft gear so that the rotor is pointing to the Number one cylinder post on the distributor cap. Before you do that you need to make sure the engine is on the number one cylinder Top Dead Center (TDC). You do that by removing the number one cylinder spark plug and rotate the engine (it's easier if all the plugs are removed) a little at a time and have a friend hold their finger over the hole. When they feel the pressure trying to blow their finger off the hole the engine is on the compression stroke. Place a drinking straw (or similar soft oblect that is long enough that you won't drop it in the cylinder) and turn the crankshaft by hand until the straw comes all the way up and just starts to go back down. Back it up so the shortest amount of the straw is in the cylinder and you are at TDC. You have to install your timing chain in this same position. It is also possible to pull off the valve cover and watch the intake and exhaust rocker arms on the No. 1 cylinder. When they are both closed and the piston is rising in the cylinder you have compression stroke. after you set all this up you still have to time the engine afterward. That involves disconnecting the advance and setting it to the proper timing advance. You really should have a manual that shows you this. It is the best investment you can make at this point. Good luck.
Aug 17, 2019 at 5:04 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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There should be a TDC mark on the harmonic balancer to help you find TDC.
Aug 17, 2019 at 5:04 PM
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