rebuilt motor won't start

[fallonmi]

I just installed my 3.0 engine in my SC that I rebuilt myself. I had the cam timing checked by my mechanic, as well as all of the clearances, before I put the engine back in. I followed Wayne's procedure in the rebuild book for starting/breaking in the motor. The engine turns over just fine, with no strange noises. It builds up oil pressure correctly, and no fluid leaks as of now (knock on wood). For some reason, it won't fire, though. New spark plugs, distributor cap, spark plug wires, and coil. Gas is getting to the injectors, as indicated by the smell of 93 octane gas from the exhaust. Any suggestions on where I should start looking? I was reading some other posts and having the distributor timed to cylinder 4 solved someone else's problem, although he managed to get a sputter beforehand. I get nothing.
Thanks in advance.
-Mike

[Type961]

Hi,
Does exhaust smell fuel ?
Did you check that ignition sparks correctly, removing a wire ?
If these look correct, you should check the ignition order, and if it's OK check the ignition timing with a strobo light...

good luck !
Luc.

[john walker's workshop]

does the CD unit whine? did you reattach the square white plug with red wires just downstream from the CD plug?

[fallonmi]

Luc,
After cranking for about 15-20 seconds, the exhaust smells like gas.
John,
Yes, the CD unit does whine once I turn the key. I am assuming you are referring to the connection that is in between the engine fuses and the CD box? If so, I have that hooked up. A missed electrical connection was the first thing I thought of, so I checked and rechecked to make sure all my wires were connected correctly.
Does this help?

[Garrett]

Pull a spark plug wire from the plug, hold it near some grounded metal and crank the engine; that will confirm that your ignition is delivering a spark.

I did get a sputter twice - but it was weak. And it involved flame coming out the tailpipes. Check that you've got spark, that will head you in the right direction with electrical connections.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Re-check that you have the plug wires on the correct cylinders. Verify that your wire pattern on the distributor cap is correct. I mixed up two wires and the baby wouldn't start until I fixed that. Also, did you bleed the CIS?

[fallonmi]

Well, I had a couple problems. First, somehow, one of my wires to the coil had broken away from the connector. I hooked this back up and I got a sputter.
I followed Wayne's wiring diagram as closely as I could, but I must have messed it up, because that was what the problem was. I will be breaking in the car tomorrow after a year's worth of weekend rebuild work. I am excited to drive her again, to say the least!
Thanks for the help.
-Mike

[Wayne 962]

Ignition problems are the number one reason why cars won't start right after a rebuild. Getting the wires aligned is tricky - I screw them up too if I'm not thinking 100% straight...

-Wayne