Timing marks...

[Dutchbroracer]

So I installed a set of 7a cams in my 200. All timing marks aligned as they should before and after install. I went to start it and it just cranks over. I pulled a plug wire, it has no spark. I then checked the coil for power, it was good. So I pulled the dizzy cap, verified the rotor is turning. I set the motor to tdc again and noticed dizzy was slightly off. Is this enough to cause a no start?

[pilihp2]

yup. Definitely can be enough. At least from my VEMS experience. Very easy to fix. Loosen the bracket holding the Dist down and turn it till it lines up. Hardest part is tightening and loosening the nut for that bracket. I have it down to a science, albeit a crazy tight, nearly impossible to work with, science. But it is a science.

[Wheeljack]

That looks like the incorrect wide rotor also. Not good for high rpm's...

http://www.sjmautotechnik.com/trouble_shooting/20vboost.html#rotor

[loxxrider]

Yes absolutely. The same thing happened to me when installing the 7a cams in my 200. Wouldn't start. The telltale sign is if the injectors aren't getting power either. Then you know you have a cam synch issue. As Phil said, just rotate the dizzy to get it started again.

[Dutchbroracer]

Ok ok. Thanks for link on rotor tip. I'm going COP and vems soon but will get the new style on there anyways. You guys have any tips for getting that stupid tamper proof cover off?

[scubadave]

Use a small chisel and hammer to knock the tamper proof bolt loose. And no you dont need to renstall the cover.

[pete82]

Use a small chisel and hammer to knock the tamper proof bolt loose. And no you dont need to renstall the cover.

agree

had to do this on my first ever s2 3b in the uk, massive long screw driver and a hammer down the gap between the 3b inlet and the rocker cover. Took a short while but was possible.

[themagellan]

Dude… get rid of that rotor like now. Or at least file it down to spec the hood rich way, you will throw a rod like many sad souls here.

Good info about the 7a cam install… did not know it changes the rotor alignment.

[Dutchbroracer]

New rotor has already been ordered. Just in the process of removing the tamper cover. Thanks for the info guys.

Not sure if the distributor is suppose to move during cam install. I might have slightly moved it as I was walking the Intake cam down.

[pete82]

New rotor has already been ordered. Just in the process of removing the tamper cover. Thanks for the info guys.

Not sure if the distributor is suppose to move during cam install. I might have slightly moved it as I was walking the Intake cam down.

yeah normally you have to slightly adjust them after fitment unless you get lucky.

[Berserker]

New rotor has already been ordered. Just in the process of removing the tamper cover. Thanks for the info guys.

Not sure if the distributor is suppose to move during cam install. I might have slightly moved it as I was walking the Intake cam down.

yeah normally you have to slightly adjust them after fitment unless you get lucky.

You might have also installed the cam one tooth off on the distributor gear, although that might give more error than you've got now. I know when I replaced lifters on my old 90q10v, Dad and I managed to reinstall the cam one tooth off on the gear (which must have turned a little when we had the cam out). We pried off the tamper proof cover and rotated the distributor, and all was well, again.

I'd probably chalk this all up to the gear on the cam being pressed on in a slightly different orientation to your original 3b cams.

[pete82]

Yeah, i've also seen two different gears for on the dizzy. A fine mesh and the normal one most people have.

When I did the 3b recently it took a couple of goes with the distributor out to make sure timing was as close to spot on, because of the gears if you just try putting it back it would 9/10 times be slightly out needing a slight adjustment.

[Dutchbroracer]

Ok so I got everything back together. Triple checked the timing. Made sure distributor was timed correctly as well. The car fired right up. Followed by the worst sound ever. I only let it run long enough to video some of it. I honestly cant tell if it is a dead lifter or something worse. I did have a noisy lifter on cold start before cam swap. Sorry for video quality, I recorded it with a potato.

[merajj]

i hear ticking lifters and what, an exhaust leak ?

[Dutchbroracer]

Yes def a exhaust leak, but the lifter noise is more my concern.

[themagellan]

Just change your oil with some nice thick shit. A loud lifter is nothing to be too freaked out about, just drive it and it will probably make itself go away wish some pressure and fresh oil

[pete82]

yeah just a lifter it sounds like, what oil are you running?

[Dutchbroracer]

yeah just a lifter it sounds like, what oil are you running?

Im running 5w-30 mobile 1 synthetic I know its pretty thin. I guess I thought 30 seconds of run time would be enough for a lifter to pump up.

[pete82]

yeah just a lifter it sounds like, what oil are you running?

Im running 5w-30 mobile 1 synthetic I know its pretty thin. I guess I thought 30 seconds of run time would be enough for a lifter to pump up.

I used to run 10w 50 silkolene pro which was recommended by a company/forum user oilman in the uk and s2forum reviews.

if I used to give my s2 3b a good thrash when I got back I used to suffer from lifter noise for a while and it used to be annoying, changing to the above oil I never once heard the lifters after that, real nice oil. Like thick treacle, engine ran a lot smoother afterwards.

[Dutchbroracer]

Ok, I'll get some 15w-40 or 10w-50 tmw at work. I sent my dad that video, keep in mind he is former NASCAR mechanic (so not a lot of over head cam experience.) he freaked out when I told him I didn't replace the lifters. He said new lifters on a old cam is ok, but old cam on old lifters was a bad idea. Does this apply towards these 5 zylinders?

[pete82]

I know a lot of people who have switched out cam's in 5 cylinder 3b/aby/aan engines for 7a cams without changing the lifters and no problems so I wouldn't worry about it

[pilihp2]

Old cam on old lifters is bad?
Tell that to my 190k lifters with 210k cams.

[Dutchbroracer]

Old cam on old lifters is bad?
Tell that to my 190k lifters with 210k cams.

Like I said, he comes from a push rod era. Over head cam must not share the same wear characteristics on lifters and cam lobes as small block Chevys do lol

Anyways I'm going to get some thicker oil at work today and drive this bitch tonight.

[Dutchbroracer]

After switching oil to mobile 1 15w-50, the lifter noise has somewhat subsided. The only time I can hear it, is right off idle. I took it out for a drive and noticed I wasn't getting full boost. Towards the end of this crappy video, after I went into 3rd gear boost creeps from 5 PSI to 10 PSI.

What I've checked:
Pressure tested inlet of compressor with 10 PSI, no leaks found.
Used smoke machine on intake to see if injectors or any other boost/vacuum leaks, nothing found.
Checked wastegate diaphragm, no problems there.

Any suggested areas to check next?


[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBXf1i9B6zM[/youtube]

Since I've had the car I've also noticed this on the ground during cold starts. Once at operating temp, it goes away.

[Dutchbroracer]

Bueller.....bueller...bueller. Pretty bored at work haha