I am in the final steps of finnaly getting this thing running. The engine will turn over but not start. I can't figure it out. Can anyone show me a picture of the steel mesh ground on the valve cover, I'm not sure if I did it right. Any suggestions?

 

what did u do to it? is just cranking and not doing anything or what?

if its just cranking check and see if your getting fire to your plugs.

 

For some reason the spark plugs aren't firing, but I can't figure out why. Also, I'm getting engine power reduced on the dash.

I am getting these codes:
PCM P0123 -throttle position sensor circuit high voltage (SES) pending...
PCM 0223- APP sensor circuit high voltage (SES) pending...

 

So what did you do to it as far as work???

Rebuild the motor?
If I read your sig right it looks like you blew a piston so I asume you rebuilt the motor
it's hard to diagnos symptoms with out knowing what was worked on.

It sounds like timing issue or power to Coils If there is no spark!
I have no manual on the motor but there is ether a crackshaft position sensor or a camshaft position sensor that deploys the proper timeing of the spark you could have that 180 off?

 

Cam sensor is probably off or not plugged in. Do you have the TB connectors all hooked up?

The cam sensor has to be aligned a certain way. Mine was 180 out, and the car didn't like it. After I turned it to the right position, she fired right up.

 

It's running! and man it sounds nasty! Now I have to go back and bleed the clutch the right way. I make a post later...if anyone cares

 

Sounds nasty in a good way or a bad way? If you just got done building the engine it may sound awkward for a bit until all the crap has burnt off and everything gets into it's norm.

 

I mean nasty like mean. I'll make a post soon to tell everyone what I did to the motor.

 

Good deal man. Can't wait to hear it.

 

Ok so it srunning but I still have a few problems. I'm getting a p0017 crankshaft-camshaft code. It will idle for a minute or two then surge and shut off. Also, the speedometer doesn't work. Any suggestions?

 

Well, does it start right away or does it take a few turns to get it to start? The cam sensor may still be off. I assume you built the bottom end, so I'm guessing that the cranksensor maybe off as well. I haven't torn into the bottom end, so I can't help you there. I have however done the top end and the cam sensor was my issue. On the Speedo, check to make sure the connector that plugs into the top of the transmission is plugged in, as that is your speed sensor. It could have very easily been overlooked when reinstalling it all. I'll see if I can find the cam sensor alignment instructions for you.

 

Crankshaft/Camshaft Correlation ? If so, that means timing is off most likely. Probably just a tooth or 2 if the car seems to be running.

As of now I don't run a camshaft position sensor, but I was only throwing a code for Camshaft Sensor, not crank and camshaft.

 

It takes a few turns to start then runs for a few and dies. Could this be caused by having a regrind on the cams?

 

Sounds like the Cam sensor is either in wrong, or not getting a signal. That would explain why it takes a few cranks to start. Then again, could be caused by timing being off.

Cams will definitely make it stall, but the only thing you can do is raise the idle, and drive it around. The car will eventually learn.

 

Do not align your cam sensor this way...it's worng....trust me I've rebuilt mine already.

Your cam sensor is not aligned correctly if you did it this way.

 

The cam sensor is off if you are sure you set the timing correctly. Easy fix though, just follow those instructions, and it'll take you 5 minutes. That's exactly what happened to me when I reinstalled my head.

 

The proper way to align the Cam sensor is align the notch with the slot while #4 is at TDC compression stroke.

 

ok so I'll try rotating the cam sensor, and cross my fingers.

 

there is a little notch in the male end. You must align the grove mark with the outside of the sensor housing....there is a notch on there too.

Since you already started the car....pull the 2 bolts off (deep well's and an air ratchet comes real handy here) turn the sensor one notch at a time until the car starts on the first try. reste codes and restart. you should be good there.

 

If I remeber correctly, the slot has to be a 45* angle like this "/" as you are looking at it if you are directly at the drivers front quarter panel.

 

thats the only way you can do it now. It took me a while to do it like this......when i pulled the sensor out it rotated like 3 or 4 sides. I had to start over

I learned this after I installed the sensor......there is a notch in the housing itself. You need to align the 2 notches then insert sensor

 

Yes, but if his timing is off, this won't fix his problems. IMO, I would re-time the motor, then do the cam sensor right. Just to be safe.

 

if this fixes the problem then he doesn't have to pull the motor.

if it doesn't fix it he'll know because of the codes.

and a wicked taping sound

 

He don't need to pull the motor to time it. It's simple, only need to take off 1 cam gear and cam caps to put them back in the sweet spot.

 

that's iffy......Personally I would pull the motor. BUT.........I'm a bit compulsive....and that little bit of guessing would drive me crazy