Rebuilt engine coughs but will not start?

1993 MAZDA MIATA

136,000 MILES • 1.6L • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL

SHERIEF

MEMBER
1 POST

I just rebuilt this 1.6 Miata with a forged bottom end. I got everything back in and I have good compression. It would just crank, then I put my other cam sensor in, and it started coughing after that it really sounded like it’s going to start but it just doesn’t. any ideas what it could be? (New spark plugs; wires, coil pack, fuel injectors.)

Feb 2, 2023 at 10:05 PM

STRAILER

✓Experienced Mechanic
55,456 POSTS

What is the compression? Also, will it run on starting fluid? How is the fuel condition being it is old? Can you upload a short video of the engine trying to start? That would help. Can you double check the ignition timing. here is how the job is done in the images below:

This guide may help as well

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-not-running-advanced

Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Images (Click to enlarge)