Help- initial startup problem...sluggish

[hcoles]

Hello Folks,

Ran the engine yesterday at 2000 for 20 minutes. Oil pressure came up very fast during cranking, the engine felt sluggish but not feeling real rough....had to give it a bit more throttle than I would have guessed to keep it at 2000, some back firing when I varied the rpm from say 1900 to 2100.

Changed oil last night after the 20 minute run and this morning installed a few remaining parts.

I went out for the 3-5 mile drive ...the car had no power and was almost stalling out at idle but wasn't running real rough. Sort of putting along almost like firing on 3 cylinders.

The engine is sluggish very sluggish...some back firing when I vary the throttle. After about 1000 yards pulled it back into the garage...

Here is what I've done so far...
-double checked that the rotor is just at the mark at #1 TDC in case the distributor was installed off, double checked the plug wire hook up sequence 1-6-2-4-3-5 go to the spots labeled on the dist. cap
- compression check all 6 cylinders 122 to 133 range.
- observation - the right 3 plugs were not very warm and smelled gasy, the left 3 were much hotter and didn't smell.

I'm now in the process of checking the cam timing starting with intake #4.



This is not that fun...I thought I was doing well..
Help very much appreciated..

car is 89 3.2 just finishing top end rebuild



-h

[hcoles]

I found my mistake....right cam timed 180 from where it should be. It's a wonder no valves hit things. I passed the clearance test but thinking back now I remember being around 3 turns on the valve adjuster before I hit something....but this was only on one cam. This should have given me a clue....hopefully this thread will keep others from doing this. I must have gotten mixed up somewhere during cam timing when the engine was on the stand. Now I know why it felt like it was running on three cyls.
-h
-embarasment level pretty high on this one

[911sTarga]

Well, at least you found out the problem without any damage! I'm about ready to drop my motor, so this will be in my head during the rebuild.

Again, glad there was no damage and you found the problem!

Let us know how it runs!

[hcoles]

Thanks for the reply....yes I am very glad no big interference problems. I feel good that I found the problem but I wonder about myself that I made this big of a mistake.

A fellow 3.2 owner is coming over this morning to double check and then I'm going to start buttoning things up again.

I will send out notification on this thread...or start a new thread with a few pictures...I think people will like how the motor looks.

I wish you much luck with your motor. The project was bigger than I imagined. Your project may be easier because of a simpler motor.

-Henry

[aigel]

FYI, it was not luck that there was no interference. There is two revolutions of the crank for one revolution of the cam. Hence, you can be 180 degree out on the cam and be in the same "spot" with respect to the piston movement.

George

[hcoles]

yes, you are correct...I was thinking of that...
About an hour ago I refired and now hitting on all 6....going through the break in procedure per Wayne. Going to get some new gas and Techron. Wow what a relief to find the issue and get it fixed...

Thanks for the note..
-Henry
89 3.2 coupe - 4 miles on top end rebuild

[hcoles]

update...now about 150 miles on top end rebuild. The car seems to run very well, feels like firing evenly on all 6, lots of compression, goes like stink compared to before the rebuild. I went from a rubber clutch to a 930 spring clutch and I notice more tranny noise at idle and some high loads at lower rpm's...is this normal? I read that this would happen but forgot about that until just today. I'll tell you what ..I'm one happy camper with this rebuild being done and what is looking like no major issues. I'm going to see if I can soundly beat my usual rivals at the next autocross....I'll feel even better then. Many thanks to all on the forum that helped me directly and indirectly by posting questions I should have thought to ask. Of course the book was a hugh help...I don't think I would have taken this on without the book as a foundation.
-h