I recently did a complete tune up by replacing all plugs, wires and replaced the cap and rotor for the distributor. I also did an oil change and replaced the air filter. Once I completed everything, I cranked it up and it started but it was horribly off time. So I redid all the wires and tried again but no difference. Still ran off time. Messed around with the cap and rotor, and still couldn’t see why it was running off time. So I drove it home, with it running off time, and parked it. A few days later I tried starting it and it wouldn’t start. Only cranked. Fuel pump is kicking on, and I replaced the distributor coil and also replaced the vacuum check valve and some vacuum hoses that were connected to it cause some of them broke off. Still won’t start. I even tried the old screwdriver in the spark plug boot method, and from what I saw was a spark. So I’m stuck right now and I really want to get this thing running. Could the engine be off time and need to be retimed?

 

When you say you did the spark plug wires, did you replace them one at a time so to not mix them up? How did you check that they are correctly wired when you checked them? Did you take the distributor cap off and inspect the rotor? Was there any suspicious wear? If you have the old rotor and cap you might put them back on to see if the problem is with them.

I've read that not using AC Delco parts for the cap and rotor can be bad. What brands did you use?

 

 

Assuming that your problems are associated with the things you replaced, my best guess is that it is with the rotor and distributor cap. Of course this is assuming you had the wires routed correctly. I've seen pictures of ill fitting rotors that hit the inside of the cap. I would suggest getting an AC Delco cap and rotor set. Then see what happens.

P.S. I am fully aware of what can happen when one "assumes" something! If anyone else has any ideas, please chime in and help this person.