2.3 Dohc Timing

I have a 1995 grand am and i put a new head gasket on it. I have the cams lined up in the "timed position" but the cranshaft isnt. How do i know when the crankshaft is in the timed position. Also do i line it up to the first cyliner after the crank pulley? (first cyl on pass side of motor?) there arent any marks at which should be at TDC. Also what stroke does the crank have to be on? Im guessing the compression stroke? and how do i find out when it is on the compression stroke? Any help is greatly appreciated

You will have to turn the crank to 0 degrees, there is a mark on the timing chain cover that tells you where it is. You can put the cover back on with a couple of bolts on the top to hold it in place, slide the crank pulley back on and turn the motor to where you need it to be. As long as the timing chain isn't attached, you should have no problem turning the motor, just be careful, if you turn the motor and hear a clunk, you tapped a valve with a piston, don't force it, try turning the other way. If you can't get it lined up you will have to take the head back off to line it up. #1 cylinder should be at tdc before you put it back together.

i set what i thought was cylinder number one to TDC and cranked it over and it was a no go... maybe itwas the wrong cylinder.. I set the cylinder closest to the timing chain to TDC. (thought cylinder configuration was from left to right 1234) maybe i didnt have the #1 cylinder?

You had the right cylinder, something isn't right with the way things are assembled. If #1 is set to tdc, either you skipped a couple of links when putting the timing chain on or the cams are 180 degrees off.

thank you very much for all of your help. would one tooth really make it not run? also.. i wasnt too sure if i attached the fuel injector wiring to the correct injectors... this would def cause a no start.. if you know the color of the wires that correspond to the injector number it would be greatly appreaciated.. Thanks again for all your help... this forum is truley amazing

It might run being one tooth off, but its definately not going to run right. When I changed the head on my quad, the injector wiring would only go on one way as the wires are all different lenghts. If you need a picture, let me know, but for me to take one is going to have to wait until monday at the earliest as its supposed to snow all day tomorrow here.

a picture would be greatly appreiciated.. also if you can see the color of the wires for each it might help... at your convienience of course.. Any clue as to why the fuel pump wont stop pumping when i stop cranking.. also i can almost hear a hissing noise from the fuel rail.... thanks for any help

The fuel pump keeps running because either the relay is bad or the regulator is bad. I had a sticky relay on my car, tapped it a few times when the pump kept running and it stopped, replaced the relay and problem was solved. Its also possible you have a leak, do you smell gas?

i dont smell any signs of gas, i can hear a hissing noise from the fuel rail though... i dont have any clues as to what it could be.. thanks for helping me through this whole thing.. it is greatly appreaciated

i redid mine as well. i thought it was all lined up properly. it seemed to bolt back down snuggly and all was ok. i torqued the bolts back to specs and then about 2 weeks later the back left of the cover cracked right around the bolts. i heard the same hissing noise. later i found out after a complete teardown that it was in timming correct and i was putting stress on the timming chain. so that was the hissing noise. /whining noise. i really regreted ever openining the engine to that car for a 15 dollar project lead to a 2000 dollar engine. and lemmi warn you. those engines are hard as shit to find with decent miles...i found one for 1500 with 67 rounds on it. i had a gfew guys looking take care of that engine it was one of the best produced by GM in my opinion. for a 4 banger it puts out some nice power and is still light. hope i helped