Help! Engine not starting but turning over

[e30jalop]

Hi everyone!

I purchased an E30 a couple months ago. When I bought the car, it overheated because of failed water pump. Once I changed the water pump out, the started to spew white smoke out of the exhaust indicating that that there was a leak in the head gasket, and coolant was getting into the combustion chamber. Therefore, I ordered a new head gasket and replaced it. Once I finally put everything back together, my engine wouldn't start. The starter turns the engine over, and fuel is getting into the combustion chamber. Also, the spark plugs do spark when I took them out and placed them on the valve cover to test them.

Before I changed the head gasket, the car started and ran. Now I have no idea what to do or what the problem is. I'm thinking maybe it has to do with the injectors or some kind of electrical wiring, but fuel is reaching the combustion chamber. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[R1dd1ck913]

Did you get the timing right?

[e30jalop]

Yes my timing is the same as it was before the head gasket installation. I made sure to mark both the cam and timing belt when changing out the head gasket.

[spdracrm3]

well if your sure the cam timing is right and you've re-installed everything correctly and you have spark and fuel only thing left is compression , engine needs three things to run, compressed air/fuel mix and spark at the right time . start with a compression test (min 150psi), then use a timing light and make sure spark is occurring at the right time by hooking to #1 plug wire and look at crank pulley, light should flash close to the TDC mark on crank pulley as engine is cranking over (if its not close then recheck dist rotor and plug wires in cap,also that crank pulley is on right as this sets ignition timing)

[HennaE30]

You sure you didn't get the plug wires backwards on the cap? I did that once on accident because I wasn't paying attention