I am in the process of doing my water pump/timing belt. I have to wait on a new radiator and tried to start the engine dry just to see if it would turn over. No dice. Is there a sensor keeping it from starting dry?

 

No. Must be something else.

Does it turn over?

Or turn over and not start?

 

nothing should keep the starter from cranking the engine without the rad and stuff.
check that you've got things like sensors and stuff all plugged in.

 

turns over just fine....just not starting. I checked the timing marks about 10 times. I even took pictures in case I doubted myself!

 

....ok just went outside and checked the distributer and I unplugged it to move wires out of the way and didn't push the plug all the way back on!!! Thank you for the input....I will be banging my head against a wall for a bit.

 

....btw it stated just fine and I ran it for about 10 sec.