1991 Pontiac Firebird wont start

CAMARO0281

MEMBER
1991 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
10 MILES

I have rebuilt a 1991 firebird with a 3.1 checked timing several times, took intake off and made sure number one cylinder is at tdc, the valves closedon that cylinder, rotor points at number 1 cylinder. Replaced fuel pump and filter. So it gets gas. The spark is orange but its enough to just barely start and sounds like a damn model t-ford. Only thing left are valves when I put rocker arms on I did the zero valve lash. The book called another turn after that, would it make that big of a difference. Its getting fuel, the plugs are wet. I did have 5 year old gas in it so I drained it but old fuel still got through.

4 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Lets get that orange spark to a blue snapping spark and then check the fuel pressure and report back your findings and things you've tried.

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Monday, March 17th, 2008 AT 7:51 PM

CAMARO0281

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks for your answer, will turn the spark blue. Im thinking its the distributer. I had used the old one and noticed a couple of fins were bent so I bent them back and another thing was the distributer was real stiff to turn and was rusted. Seems like the 3 cylinder and one from the other side are operating because I have to turn the distributer counter clockwise all the way. That leads me to believe number1 and 2 cylinders arent even firing. Could it be from the reference pulse from the fins.

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Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 AT 5:06 PM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

From: camaro0281
To: rasmataz
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 4:13 pm
Subject: 91 firebird

thanks for answering I will definitley send donation. Just hard to tell whos legit anymore. And how would you go about getting a better spark. Bought new coil and battery is fully charged. Compressions gotta be great, you cannot turn engine by hand. But had used old distributer and was rusty and stiff to turn. Had the ignition control module checked.

Check the distibutor pick-up coil resistances and air gap-also check the voltage at the coil positive

Is it still producing spark orange or blue?

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Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 AT 6:43 PM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Check the battery voltage at the coil positive-what is it? Also measure the resistances of the distributor pick-up coil and air gap.

Test the coil wire resistance-

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Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 AT 6:49 PM