what do i need connected to start my engine?
 

well

just replaced spark plugs, wires, distributor, rotors, caps, the works...

but the engine wont turn over, it just keeps crankin but refuses to start.

I got the distrubutor wires in, its hooked into the ingnition assy (i believe)...
battery is plugged in...

What am i missing?

well when my truck randolmy died on the road i had similar symptoms. turned out to be my ignition coil. do a spark test and try to isolate the problem

i might be a uber noob, but what is a spark test?

2 things pop out to me if u replaced the distributor check the firing order c if u got the plugs right and check to make sure u got the distributor in right did u align the gear right or did u just put it in?? and check the timing

i just put the distributor in, but it went in all the way

theres your problem right there u have to put the number 1 cylinder at tdc take the cap off the distributor make sure as u put it in the cap is pointing directly at the number 1 (note mark number 1 on the side of the distributor so u can tell when u take the cap off also the distributor will turn when u put it in u need to be right on the money then u can check the timing afterwords

take the wire that goes from the coil to the destributer out of the distributor. find something metal. make sure your not touching anything metal and holding on to the rubber boot. hold the end close to the metal and have someone turn the key quickly. just turn release. dont hold the key turned. if you see an arc then its not your coil

and u know they make a nifty little tool for spark tests that is pretty cheap and keeps u from getting the crap shocked out of u

Also note that the crank goes around twice for every go around of the distributor so you have to make sure you are on top dead center of the compression stroke on the #1 cylinder when you rough time it. Take off the valve cover and make sure both valves on the #1 cylinder are closed with the crank indicating TDC, and there you are. Once you get that figured out, check the firing order to make sure you have the spark plug wires connected properly -- just like ds313 says.

You'll find it much easier to rotate the engine (CW as viewed from the front) if you remove the spark plugs.

A timing light?

hah. they do? :jk: hey in a pinch it worked and noone got killed!:saw:

anyway its proly not the coil so listen to what these guys say. they know what they are talking about

dont get me wrong been there done that lol but alot of newer cars computers that r still distributor ran dont tend to like that to much lol and yep forgot to mention the whole compression stroke part my bad and not a timing light for checking spark it just has one end u put the plug wire on and u ground the other end alltho some have a setup u can actually hook up to the plug too its adjustable to set your spark gap which reminds me did u check the gaps on the spark plugs??