Help needed: '88 Supereta No Start Issue Post-Timing Belt + i Conversion

[Tremektus]

Hi folks, my buddy and I have been working on upgrading my '88 325i (which came from the factory with a 885 head) to i specs. This means I sourced a 173 DME, 325i cam, double valve springs, intake manifold, throttle body, AFM, fuel rail, injectors, and 3 bar FPR, and while we were at it we did the timing belt and confirmed (both before and now as you'll learn, after) that timing marks on both the crank match the block as well as the timing marks on the cam gear match the head.

At any rate, we have it all back together - and after diagnosing a faulty C191/injector harness issue, and then realizing the (new to the car) CPS sensor was plugged into the wrong plug on the harness, it still won't start. This is what happens when we go to start:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRvSh6RDrzc&feature=youtu.be

It cranks, then lurches as if there's an ignition happening on the wrong stroke or at the wrong time, therefore you see me getting off the key very quickly in the interest of not bending/breaking something.

After this video was taken we first confirmed that the right plugs + coil wire are all on the right plugs on the distributor, and then (with great reluctance) again took the timing cover off and confirmed timing marks. I'm at a loss as to what's happening here. PS, I also tried starting it on the original 154 (supereta) DME and same result.

Edit: additional info, we also checked blink codes and get 1444 which as I understand it indicates no stored codes on Motronic 1.3.

So again seems like we're getting spark and fuel and air but on the wrong cylinder or stroke... I just went out and took pictures of the timing marks:

Cam:


Crank:


At first we thought we might be half a tooth off but this is after two rotations.

Can you guys help me confirm a couple assumptions?

• The cam sprocket can only bolt onto a M20B25/7 camshaft one way,
• The rotor can only bolt onto the distributor one way

If the above is true, wtf is happening?

Any/all help appreciated diagnosing what's going on here, I have done countless searches (as a lurker) but now need other eyes on this - thank you!

[sert57]

Do the setas have the CPS on the flywheel or crank pulley? I don't remember.

I read a thread here once where the woodruff key on the crank sheared. I'd be really surprised if this is it, and it doesn't seem to match the symptoms you show.

This is an odd one. I'll be thinking some more about it...

[jeffnhiscars]

The lower timing mark is on the balancer not on the crank hub

[zaq123]

The lower timing mark is on the balancer not on the crank hub

both show the same thing

[jeffnhiscars]

both show the same thing

I've been putting the balancer back to align the marks all these years. You learn something every day :)

[Tremektus]

Hey guys, turned out that the notch on the cam gear was off maybe a tooth. We never ran the engine like this, and upon reinstalling it properly the motor fired right up and compression is still good on all 6 cylinders, so doesn't appear anything's bent.