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2G Mechanical Timing

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98gstJames

Proven Member
215
41
May 25, 2022
WInchester, Virginia
So I’ve done a lot of work on my car and it’s almost starting, I got it to turn over one time and now it’s just crank, I know it’s my timing because I lined up the gears and they didn’t line up right, it wasn’t off by a lot but I know the slightest miss in the timing won’t allow it to fire, so I’m basically just wondering honestly how to do it, I’m familiar with the system and have the Haynes manual but it’s not really too much in detail about basically how to start the timing process, so I was hoping someone could walk me through the process. Thank you
 
So it sounds like you've got a Frankenscrewed 2G. With the primary O2 sensor missing and no MAF your computer has no way of knowing how the engine is breathing or burning so it can't meter the fuel delivery. Mechanical timing was way off - bad news in an interference engine. Plus you've got a bunch of add on and mod crap that was apparently done by someone who went to the movies and dreamed of Race Wars...

Start from scratch. Get back to basics.

1. Believe nothing about what you were told about the car.
2. Get your timing dead nuts on.
3. Perform a compression test.
4. Fix any known or revealed issues
5. Get all proper and necessary stock parts on and in good working order.
6. Attempt to start and run.
7. Fix and go from there until you are running right.

Might seem like a pita, but with what you have shared you need to start at the bottom. If you try to skip steps or assume things are fine you're liable to end up spending more $ and time chasing problems caused by improper mods and previous owner ignorance.
I started and ran my engine with no MAF connected and MAF type still set to MAF for some reason and the ignition timing was set to "best guess" as I had not yet timed it with a light. It not only started within a couple turnovers, but also never died out.. it just was impossible to get fuel delivery right for obvious reasons. My point being, just because it doesn't have a MAF doesn't mean it won't at least start and idle.
 
I started and ran my engine with no MAF connected and MAF type still set to MAF for some reason and the ignition timing was set to "best guess" as I had not yet timed it with a light. It not only started within a couple turnovers, but also never died out.. it just was impossible to get fuel delivery right for obvious reasons. My point being, just because it doesn't have a MAF doesn't mean it won't at least start and idle.
True. If the car won't start and at least idle, even if horribly, the diagnostic tree is relatively short (fuel delivery, spark, timing, compression). My assessment was that as this car is new to the OP and, from the pics and description, critical basic stuff has been eliminated without the functionality being compensated or made up for, plus the addition of bolt-ons - it would be best for the OP to start from square one.

OP - your mechanical timing was waaayyy off. At best your valves were open/closed in the wrong sequence frustrating ignition. At worst you have bent valves, preventing compression and ignition. At this point with the baseline being stuff missing, misinformation about the engine, timing issues, and history of what it took to get it to start, you need to treat this like an engine that you just pulled from a junkyard. Verify mechanical timing first. Next, compression test (because if valves are bent there's no point in going further until that's fixed). If that's all good, check and refresh your spark plugs. Next, replace all of the missing engine management components. Once your engine running/management components are all there and in good working order you will be in a good position to troubleshoot any starting/running problems.

In addition to pauleyman's link to no start troubleshooting, recommend going through the power upgrade path outlined here:
https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/basic-horsepower-ugrades-2g-4g63t.480196/
It will give you valuable info regarding bolt-ons and upgrades and how they can affect engine running.

Sorry you seem to have stepped into a mess with the 2G but we can help get you on the road in a reliable car. Just might take some time, sweat, blood, and money first...

.
 
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