D15Z1 Engine swap project log

[Gary Palmer]

Ah well, enough questions and we'll get their, I guess. Good Luck

[Matt Timion]

see post above

Unless my transmission is actually in gear, which it probably is. I havn't hooked up the shift linkage yet. If the clutch cable isn't engaging the clutch then it is not going to really be able to start because it isn't in nuetral.

So add getting the shift linkage put back together to the list.

[SVOboy]

You can hop under the car and put it in neutral manually.

Just stick a screwdriver through the hole and move it in betwixt in the 3 positions.

[Gary Palmer]

Matt: My problem wasn't that I didn't understand your note. From what you described, unless you have the front on the ground, worst case, the wheels would just turn. If it was hung up because of being in gear, you'd just hear a big "thunk" sound, when you tried to start it, and the engine would not turn over, at all.

[Matt Timion]

Originally Posted by Gary Palmer

Matt: My problem wasn't that I didn't understand your note. From what you described, unless you have the front on the ground, worst case, the wheels would just turn. If it was hung up because of being in gear, you'd just hear a big "thunk" sound, when you tried to start it, and the engine would not turn over, at all.

Very true. Communication issue could very well be on my part. I seem to be making up terms as I go along and finding out that the terms already have another meaning

[Matt Timion]

Okay...

Car is in nuetral. clutch cable is tightened properly. It is no longer dripping transmission fluid, which means it either mananged to drip all 1.9 quarts in about 12 hours or it was just overfilled and was expelling the extra. Maybe I'll remove the reverse light switch and put a dipstick in there to check if there is any fluid.

THe engine cranks. I marked the power steering belt and it definately moved. Now I have to check for spark. I tried putting a spark plug on the end of a spark plug wire and tried cranking it. I saw no spark, but then again it could be that the brightness of the sun prevented me from seeing it.

Is there an easy way to check for spark? Say, with a multimeter?

The rotor is on the distributor, but if it's giving me problems I'll just swap with the spare distributor I have in the garage.

[GasSavers_DaX]

The distributor can only go on one way.

I was talking about mechanical timing, not electrical. The car will run with very poor electrical timing, but if your mechanical timing is off even a little (ie - timing belt off a tooth or more), you're car likely won't run. I've been able to drive a Civic with the timing belt off one tooth, but not one with the timing belt off two teeth.

[Matt Timion]

Originally Posted by DaX

The distributor can only go on one way

Huh? I asked if there is another way to check for spark, not if the distributor is put on improperly.

Originally Posted by DaX

I was talking about mechanical timing, not electrical. The car will run with very poor electrical timing, but if your mechanical timing is off even a little (ie - timing belt off a tooth or more), you're car likely won't run. I've been able to drive a Civic with the timing belt off one tooth, but not one with the timing belt off two teeth.

Of course this is something I should have done when the engine was out. When I replaced the timing belt I left everything as it was. Nothing moved. I can assume that nothing was messed up.

I'll ensure that I have spark first before I worry about mechanical timing, which sound like a PITA.

[GasSavers_DaX]

Were you grounding the plug when you had it in the end of the wire? It needs to be grounded - I touch the plug to a valve cover bolt. You may need to wait for dark to see the spark, but you shouldn't...I've seen it in daylight.

[Matt Timion]

Originally Posted by DaX

Were you grounding the plug when you had it in the end of the wire? It needs to be grounded - I touch the plug to a valve cover bolt. You may need to wait for dark to see the spark, but you shouldn't...I've seen it in daylight.

Word. I'll do this when it's no so freaking hot outside.