Replaced 1.0 head- Can't get it started

[frets14]

I replaced the head on my 95 Metro with a rebuilt unit (from Ebay). Everything went together well and the engine started right up immediately afterwards. It ran great for about 20 seconds and then the timing belt broke. I had the caps too tight over the cam. I replaced the belt, set all my timing marks as before, made sure the cam turned easily and had no damage, but I have not been able to get the engine to even think about firing. I have checked the compression (all 120 - 150), checked for spark, checked and rechecked my timing alignment, checked all my fuses (under the dash and on the fenderwell), swapped out my distributor from a running 1.0 (my 92 Metro). Still nothing! What have I missed?

[geozukigti]

Well, first, try and deduct wether it's not getting spark, or fuel. That'll help narrow it down.

[frets14]

Well, I've put the in-line spark tester on it and it's getting spark and I can smell the fuel, but to be sure we sprayed some starting fluid in the throttle body. Still nothing. I brought #1 to TDC then stripped off the timing belt cover, the valve cover and removed the distributer cap. My timing marks were all aligned. Both valves were visibly closed and the rotor actually seemed a few degrees ahead of where I thought it should be for the number one plug. I moved the cam one tooth and still nothing.

[geozukigti]

are you 100% sure the spark plugs are on in the correct order?

[frets14]

Yes they are. In spite of how it looks, I must have the timing off a notch. I'm going to try moving it again tomorrow.

[geozukigti]

I just remembered. If you had the cam caps too tight to the point where you broke the belt, make sure you didn't snap the cam in half. The cams are hollow, and are very prone to breaking. Did you properly torque the cam journals down??? or just tighten them with a ratchet(very very bad)

[frets14]

I didn't have a torque wrench that measured in inch pounds so I just snugged them down wirh a box end. That was when the belt broke so I went thru, loosened the caps a bit and made sure the cam turned freely. Nothing broke on the cam. I did make the change on the timing like I said I would and I also put in a new battery as the old one had to constantly be recharged due to a bad cell. It tried to start and I had to pump the gas like crazy to get any response. I'm thinking I may have a problem with the fuel delivery. I shouldn't have to pump the accelerator. I'll look further into that as soon as I can get the time.

[geozukigti]

omg, loosen them all, and use a torque wrench! You'll destroy the cam, if you haven't already. Cam journals are VERY sensitive. A scratch will cause them to lose oil pressure in a few thousand miles. Anything inside an engine should ALWAYS be torqed in order, and to spec. There is no leeway. You'll ruin the engine.
Anyways, check all the grounds on the engine. Maybe one is loose, or not getting a good connection to the block/transmission. Could cause the fuel injector to not spray. You could have a vacuum leak that would cause that too. Check all the vacuum hoses. And make sure the MAP sensor has a good line hooked up to it.

[frets14]

I believe I found the problem! I decided to back up and start over. I have another cam, so I was going to swap them out. I got down to the cam and removed the drive sprocket and discovered it had rotated over the pin. I've tried reassembling it,using the undamaged notch by rotating the sprocket to the 80 degree timing mark and it almost starts. I'll have to tweak it a little, but I'm sure I'll get it now. BTW, I got hold of a torque wrench in inch pounds and added it to my collection of tools!