1984 Pontiac Fiero Timing Issues

[BlackMoses]

Hey guys,

While I own and love my 2001 Ranger, my dad has a Pontiac Fiero we're having a hell of a time getting it running so I thought you guys could help.

But here's the situation, we've got a 1984 Pontiac Fiero with the 2.5 liter Iron Duke that just recently tore up it's fiber timing gear on the camshaft. So after pulling the camshaft and pressing a new one on, in addition to replacing the distributor cap/rotor, spark plug wires, and ignition coil...we can't get this thing timed right to turn over.

The dots on the camshaft gear and crankshaft gear are lined up and the rotor is pointing between the 1 and 3 spark plug posts when cylinder 1 is at top dead center (and the timing mark on the crank pulley is at 0).

Here's a video to show you guys what's going on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R8dFQmKJrU

As you can see we're getting some backfiring through the throttle body and some air out of the exhaust but it's not turning over. We've checked the plugs for spark and I can see it getting fuel, and we've got the ECM posts connected with a paper clip in order for it to hold the timing, but it's still dead in the water.

Thanks in advance for your advice and help!!!!

 

[martin]

The rotor should be pointing to the number 1 post when cylinder 1 is at tdc on the firing stroke.

 

[snake]

Easiest way to do this is line up the timing gears with the marks facing each other and re-assemble. Then bump the engine around with #1 plug out with your finger in the hole feeling for compression. When you feel compression, bring it up to TDC, drop the distributor in with the rotor pointing at #1. Then move the engine back to its timing mark, if timing is 6 degrees before TDC, move it to there. Now move the dist housing around until it lines up the ignitor with #1 on the dist shaft as closely as possible and tighten it down. If you do this, you won't even have to put a timing light on it as it will be perfect.