Fresh rebuilt engine...won't start

[meissen]

Definitely sounds like it's the bump - with the fuel filter off the only thing that could be the issue when you start the car would be the fuel pump, especially if you try to start and the drip from the empty fuel filter line doesn't even change.

[diedwards]

That price is just for the pump.

[diedwards]

Got the pump today

I installed my $60 fuel pump today and now I have fuel at the rail. But still no start I found the was not full sitted. Fixed that it was turning over a lot better still no start. When it did start it ran like crap for about 30 seconds and shut off. I found that I did not connect the ground strap and I could not find the bolt so I will pick one up tomorrow. Also the battery gauge drop deep into the red with cranking the car. Could these two things be be related? Could the ground strap stop the car from starting?

The groud strap I talking about goes from engine motor mount bolt to the front rail next to the power steering resoivor.

Thanks for the help keep it coming.

[meissen]

Not sure if that would cause it but it definitely wouldn't hurt to fix and find out

[98blackbeauty]

Very good possibility! keep in mind anything above or mounted to the heads may not be grounded from the block, except from head bolts. so to insure there a good grd they put the grd cables on. there is another one over on drivers side by spark coil.

[diedwards]

Today I ground the strap, recharged the battery and tested the ingintion coil which tested good. The after held the key for about 40 sec and pressing the the gas pedal it started. But it ran like crap. Sounded like it the misfiring and backfiring out of the front of the engine. What could it be rebuilt motor with zero miles on it. New plugs and wires. Test the coil pack, and battery both test good. I also checked the firing order and I had it correct. Any suggestions as to the rough running and backfiring?

Could I have have fouled out the spark plug that fast?

[steddy]

Today I ground the strap, recharged the battery and tested the ingintion coil which tested good. The after held the key for about 40 sec and pressing the the gas pedal it started. But it ran like crap. Sounded like it the misfiring and backfiring out of the front of the engine. What could it be rebuilt motor with zero miles on it. New plugs and wires. Test the coil pack, and battery both test good. I also checked the firing order and I had it correct. Any suggestions as to the rough running and backfiring?

Could I have have fouled out the spark plug that fast?

Hmmm. Haven't seen it up close and personal, but are you sure the initial timing is correct (cam to crank)? A tooth off and it can do that. Known good injectors and plugs? Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to check the plugs to make sure of fouling. I wish I had my case relearn instructions on me. There's a process where the sensors need to familiarize themselves with the system and it may be what's wrong. I think they have the process on the FirebirdV6 forum. Takes about a half hour, but couldn't hurt.

[98blackbeauty]

I'm not real familier with the 3.8, but That has coil packs on each side doesn't it? There is a sensor for crank position, check connection then check spark from each coil pack, couple of weak ones or a couple dead ones could cause something like you have. You could use an old fashion timing light to check spark. of each coil pack. Also you mentioned you installed a rebuilt engine, who rebuilt it? maybe its out of time by 1 - 2 teeth.

[diedwards]

The rebuild pump did not work and I brought it from direct auto. I got a new pump from rockauto and the car fired right up.

New problem:

The car is stuck in WOT so I unbolted the throttle cable bracket and the car idles just fine. The bracket is pulling on the cable when bolted. I check the is no kints in the cable and the bracket only go one way. Any suggests as to what would cause this.

[97rs4life]

did the adjustment nut on the cable get messed up when it was removed before?

[diedwards]

did the adjustment nut on the cable get messed up when it was removed before?

I don't see an adjustment nut and when I bought this car it was all took apart so if the is a nut it may be possible it was damaged. I think may just drill a new hole in the bracket and use only one of the holes. Cut the bracket it need be.

Please help as I am frustrated that I was able to rebuilt the engine and put the car back together and it runs fine but I can't bolt on a dumb bracket.

98 Camaro 3.8L V6 Auto Trans

[98blackbeauty]

Sounds like the bracket might not be bolted in correct position. Again I am not familier with 3.8. but Brians 3.4 and lt1 both had simular bracket and throttle cable snapped in bracket. Cable then went around rocker arm and clipped into throttle body rocker arm. rocker arm should come up to stop screw on throttle body. If it doesn't then there is something holding gas pedal down or cable is not positioned correctly.
check inside the car there is a plastic keeper on the cable where it attaches to gas pedal arm, maybe that is out of the correct position IE: holding cable back a little.

[diedwards]

the bracket only has two bolt holes thus only bolts in one way. I check the gas pedal and there is nothing in its way. Both the cruise control cable and gas pedal cable seem to be short about an inch. I think that i am to just drill a new hole in the bracket and make it work. It is a stupid problem to have.

[diedwards]

I just want to let everyone know that I got the car fixed. Nobody could figure out way the bracket was off. I just cut the bracket, then bend it, then drilled a new hole so that it would be one inch lower. All is fine now and the car runs great. This was my first engine I rebuilt so I am proud to drive this car.

--I would like to thank everyone who posted a reply.--