Why?!

[pat052003]

WHY?!! can't I get my 90 Toyota Celica ST to run? I blew a head gasket so I replaced it, along with the distributor, caps,and plugs, alternator, exhaust manifold, all new cam bearing bolts, new stud bolts, caps, and grommets for the valve cover, battery, upper and lower radiator hoses, thermostat, and a few other things not related such as new brake power booster, check valve, and master cylinder. I got everything back together, tried to turn it on and nothing.....at first, then after about three tries it starts to try to turn over but just won't frikin crank. I'm close to the point that the next two part I buy are going to be a can of gasoline and a box of matches. Any suggestions at all on what could be wrong? And what does TDC stand for exactly?

[jwaj2002]

top down center

[pat052003]

Thank you. I saw it like a gazillion times in the chilton but never saw what it meant.

[KimMG]

TDC - top dead center. It's when the piston is at the very top of the stroke on the compression stroke. Look in the index of your manual and see if there are references to a particular cylinder.

Which engine do you have? Can you turn the motor by hand? You need to make sure the motor is not frozen or locked up, so try turning it by hand. Disconnect the battery, remove the valve cover and turn the motor by hand and see if the valves are opening and closing like they should be. If not, stop and post what is happening. Are your battery cables clean and secure? Is the starter good? Were you having "turning over" problems before you replaced the head gasket?

[pat052003]

I've tried turning the motor by hand and there's nothing wrong there. I didn't have any problems before the gasket blew. I checked a the #1 & #4 spark plugs for spark and didn't see any spark @ all. By the way it's the 4-AFE 1.6 DOHC. There's three things that come to mind right off hand and thats either 1:distributor is 180 degrees out, 2:timing marks on the exhaust cam pulley and crankshaft pulley aren't lined up correctly, or worst case 3:fried computer.

[KimMG]

When you turned the motor by hand did the rotor spin? If you turned the motor by hand and looked at the valves opening and closing, and watch the rotor spin you'll know if the distributer is 180 degrees off.
Rotate motor till cylinder number one is at TDC and see where the rotor is pointing. It will be pointing at number one.
Is the starter good? Try banging on it with a hammer. Worn bushings in the starter may cause the starter to bind.
If the motor was easy to turn by hand, then the starter motor should have no trouble turning the motor.
Check the wiring connections and make sure they are correct, clean, and secure.