Okay so having a bit of an issue here with my 4a-lc. Just got done putting everything back together after a head gasket and timing belt and alas it won't start. It cranks but that is ALL. Made sure it was getting gas (you can visibly see gas going through the fuel filter) which you could definitely smell. As far as spark, once I got a spark tester I found that was my issue so to my dismay I had to check the distibutor which was the one part of the car I have the least experience with. Oddly enough with the spark at one point I got a weak spark on 3/4 and nothing on 1/2 but after taking the distributor apart and cleaning all the connections I was back to no spark at all. So since I didn't have a multimeter I took it to the dealership I work at and checked the ignition coils resistance and it tested ~.6ohms (I know multimeter's arnt great below one ohm) so that was within spec and secondary was 8.63k ohms again within spec. So since that was fine I looked up the alldata for testing the ignition control unit/ignitor and brought that home after I bought a multimeter of my own at Walmart. So with that in hand I put the key in on and checked the plug that supplies power to the distributor-12.05v. I also checked the test plug and grounded to the round thing with the ground wires that bolts to the distributor housing (not sure if that was right) and it came out to 12.05v. When I tested the + and - terminals of the coil I got nothing, I mean 0.0v. The instructions said if the coil didn't have power it could be an issue between the ignition switch and the coil and to replace as necessary. Since the female plug had power though wouldn't that mean the issue would be between the female plug and the coil? Anything else would cause this? Kinda having a hard time imagining a 4" bad wire could cause this much hassle.
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got it down to around 900-1200 but since the timing is pretty advanced it stumbles and the exhaust putters and occasionally dies when I'm stopped. Prolly should break out the can of carb cleaner or some sea foam and take the timing back a tooth, but that might not be till saturday since I work till dark and don't have a garage.