I just recently rebuilt my 3vze in my 89 Toyota pickup, and I can't get it to start at all, messing with the distributor makes it want to fire but doesn't quite run. I've checked my timing and it's still dead on but everywhere I've read or asked is saying it's the distributor, and I've been messing with it for weeks now every chance I get. If anybody has any input it would be greatly appreciated

 

You have consistent spark? At the right time?

Have you shot some starting fluid at it yet?

 

I just went through this with my 1990, had to reset the timing belt twice cause I hadn't tightened up the bolt going through the tensioner pulley enough and it was slowly slipping over time. Its a PITA to re check the timing belt but if you know you're getting spark and fuel, which are easy to test for, then either your timing is off or your compression is shot. I was 100% sure my belt was on right and the thing wouldn't start, I was ready to sell it, and finally my buddy told me to just check the belt again and we reset it, been driving it for 3 weeks now.

 

I just tore it apart last weekend to check the timing and sure enough it was still perfect. I know I've got spark and fuel. This is why I'm lost on it, I'm no mechanical genius but I do know some of the basics. I've been messing with the distributor for sometime now and I'm growing to think that that's not my problem, ive heard the efi relay could cause this also but at the same time I don't see how the relay could cause it not to run.
Yesterday after I got my new distributor, i put it in and timed it correctlyand it started favoring all the way to the right hand side. But it only started for like a second and sounded terrible then died and if I had the distributor clocked in the middle it would fire out of the intake and clocked all the way to the left it would just crank and not do anything. So at this point I'm with you on how you wanted to sell yours because I've been out of a vehicle for 8 months, this thing is very frustrating.

 

Co_94 yes I've shot starting fluid at it and yes I've got consistent spark as far as I know

 

It SOUNDS like the ignition timing (not valve timing) is way off. I assume you've checked that with a timing light. There is the possibility that you've failed the annular rubber ring in the harmonic balancer; the outer part (with the timing mark) can twist on the inner part (that is attached to the crank). You can check that by dropping a straw or chopstick into #1 to feel for TDC, and see if the balancer matches.

Another possibility is your ignition timing is 180° out; the timing mark will line up correctly, but the plug is firing on exhaust stroke. You'll need to set the cam to the top of compression (the marks on the cam sprockets pointing up) and check that the rotor is pointing "close" to #1.

 

Thanks for the input! I'll give it a try when I've got some time.

 

...yea sounds like your 180* off.

Good luck.

 

She runs! Not sure why or how but I timed the distributor one toothed counter clockwise and it started. Gotta fix some little bugs like low idle but other than that she runs like a charm. Thanks for giving me ideas, it was greatly appreciated.