I'll double check it. So thinking about the timing has got me questioning somethings..

When you spin the crank, every time the notch is at the '0' mark, the engine is at TDC, right? Because when you have everything belted up, and spin the crank from TDC to TDC (1 revolution) the cam markings were down. Then, with one more full revolution, it was back to the '0' and the cams were lined up on their markings.. Sorry for the long winded questions, but when its at TDC, as long as you start with the cams on their markings, youre good to go, right?

And just a little bit of a depressing photo.. This is what I wake up to..

Its all put together, has oil, coolant and fuel.. And its just sitting there. :*(

 

is the disributor 180 degrees off? simple & common mistake....

 

There was enough grease where the bolt was to show exactly how it was supposed to sit. Plus, there is a little line on the top of the mounting spot and the distributor that I lined up.

Checked the spark plug wires, each go to their respective plugs. And I know I should have gotten new plugs while I had it apart, but I forgot and its got the old plugs still in it. BUT, it was running before we took it apart.

I called a few auto part places and one guy asked why I needed the air flow sensor (I know, thats not what its called, but I cant keep all the acronyms straight!) and I told him I gutted mine. He said even if they are bad, the truck should catch and start, but the sensor would keep it from running very long.. This true?

Should I check and see if its getting fuel? I believe there is a banjo bolt on the passenger side of the upper intake manifold.. Pop that loose?

 

And just for the record, when I say backfiring, its not like loud BANGS or anything, its just some 'boom, boom, ba boom............boom, boom.....ba boom...' Not overly loud.

 

So, I took on this head gasket job was for 2 reasons. I could do it cheaper than what a shop would charge AND I could replace more parts. Im good at following directions, pulling stuff apart and then putting it together when Ive got the steps in front of me. I am not a good diagnostic guy.. So with that being said, I feel there are a limited amount of things I can try before I call the tow truck and just take it up the street. This is what Im going for.

Air. Fuel. Spark. Compression. Timing.

Beyond that, Im at a loss. So, with that being said, I ran up the street to a local auto wrecking and got this:


I know WrenchinJoe said he saw one at a pull-a-part for $25, but the nearest pull-a-part (30 mins each way) doesnt have any 4Runners and the next (1.25 hrs each way) has a '90, but wont confirm if its a V6 or a 4 cylinder. Im not willing to drive that far for a 'maybe'..

So, being slightly desperate and starting with something that is uncertain (since I ripped the plug out), Im going to install this thing and see what happens. It cost me $80 out the door, is off a '93 and had 136k on it :/

 

Installed it. No dice. Still doing its little backfiring thing it does.

 

Just sprayed myself with fuel when I undid the little banjo bolt on the passenger side of the manifold. So fuel.. check. Now I think I should go wash my face off..

 

Time to check for spark.

 

Was going to but I need a helping hand with that. Unless there is some secret way to check and crank the truck over at the same time...?

 

you did confirm your firing order was right and the dizzy wasn't 180 out right? I don't believe it would pop and "backfire" without spark.

 

I whole heartedly agree that if there were not spark, It wouldnt be 'popping'. I skipped a few steps and jumped at checking the timing because I feel like maybe its outta whack, and firing while the valves are open thus causing it to pop out the exhaust.. Stupid?

Besides I checked for spark on only 1 wire so far (Im now home alone, dont have anyone to turn the key while I watch) but when I did check, I did the ol' stick a screwdriver in and I shocked myself. Yup, spark.

I pulled stuff apart and got at the timing.

Crank:

Zeroed out.

Drivers Cam:


Passenger Cam:


Looks timed, right?!

My dizzy:


Lined up!


HELP!

 

heh can't help you with the timing belt stuff, but where is the dizzy rotor pointing to?

 

firing order 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6

 

Hmm. If I pull off the cap, it SHOULD be pointing at 1, right? Ill do that now.

 

yes it should be pointing at #1. and both your #1 valves should be loose.

 

OMG OMG OMG!! Please tell me this is wrong!!! Just from looking at my cap its pointed at.......................5?!?!?!?! How to I correct it?!



!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

I just have to pull the shaft out, spin it and re insert right?!?!?!?!?!

 

i don't know where 1 is on that but... your cap is numbered right?

now, you have to make sure your at TDC on compression meaning you have to check #1 valves are loose. I don't know what it takes to take that side's valve cover off though, so here is what I would do.

if it's pointing @ #5 then the dizzy has to come out. but......

there is two TDC's on this. if the motor is at TDC on the exhaust stroke and not compression then that dizzy should be pointing towards #4 not #5. Not sure if that is even pointing at 5 though. Seems like it's in between 4 and 5.

Basically my instinct right now is it's not 180 out but it's 1 or two teeth off.

You have to remove the dizzy spin the rotor and put it back in till it points to #4. and go from there. do this with the cap off though as when you put it in the rotor will spin by itself.

 

just for my reference:

 

Oh god. To check the valves...to get the valve cover off.. That would be vacuum hoses, upper intake...

No. Im gambling. With the crank at 0, and the cams at their mark, Im assuming its on the compression stroke.. and therefore should be at 1... I KNOW that I just put the dizzy in without any regard to where it was pointing. I think that I thought it would only go in one way and forgot its just gears sliding together. Shoot. Sometimes Im just a tad bit slow..

Here is where 1 is.