84 cutlass won't start

[rangertom]

hi all, I have an 84 cutlass supreme broughm with the buick V6 3.8L 231 engine in it. I had to change the timing chain cover gasket due to some severe leaking and unfortunatly was forced to obviously remove the distributor in the process. anyways i disturbed the gears somehow when it was out so i have set the #1 piston just before it tops out in the cylinder and got the distributor back in and seated with the rotor facing directly at #1 spark plug wire but i can't get the motor to turn over and run? Now while i was taking it apart but before i took anything off except the fan and pulleys i used water and power washed alot of the front and bottom of the block to get all the leaked oil off, the engine was cold ( haden't run for at least 12 hrs) when i power washed it, i inspected the distributor cap but didn't see any cracks. it cranks like it's trying to turn over but while cranking ever so often it shoots a mist of gas out of the carburator?

 

[crazy'boutOlds]

Sounds like a timing issue. :?:

 

[rangertom]

yup, it was the timing... i must of had the piston in the exhaust strok cause the rotor was facing the #4 plug wire... Ok, got it started but it sounds really rough, i set the timing per the chiltons manual & the sticker under the hood but it sounds like a rattle of some sorts ? any ideas ?!?!?!? it's full of oil... my neighbor says the oil pump ? i have no damn clue :?: 🙁

 

[rangertom]

day 4... put in the oil pump rebuild kit and still have the ticking noise from the top of the engine... Lifters ?? clogged oil port, how could taking the timing chain cover off and replacing the gasket clog an oil port just like that, I could really use any suggestions please

 

[pontiacgp]

if that is a Buick engine with the oil pump on the front of the engine did you fill the cavity where the gears are with petroleum jelly?

 

[rangertom]

yes it is and yes i did.. i looked inside the oil fill hole on the valve cover and oil is dripping but not squirting, not sure if it should squirt or just drip like it is, starting to wonder if it's rods or a spun bearing, never had this noise till after i changed the gasket on the front plate?

 

[DRIVEN]

Is it possible you've got some gasket material or RTV plugging the oil passage between the timing cover and block?

 

[pontiacgp]

I'd get a tool and a drill to turn the oil pump to make sure that it's pumping oil. I'm not sure what angle your oil filter is on but if it's horizontal it has to have a valve to hold the oil so it will be used to prime the oil pump when you start the engine

 

[rangertom]

Thank you to all who helped, the tapping noise is gone after driving it a couple miles today and she is running like a champ and very quite as she should be...lol all i can figure is the oil was sticky from sitting without oil in it for a couple days and just needed to get hot to get her all lubed back up? thx again for everybodys help