replaced head gasket, now on 2nd possibly 3rd distributor cap, help

[romeo294]

Hello all,

I'm at a loss. I replaced head gasket/timing belt/water pump etc. and have had an issue. Car wouldn't fire up, and I noticed that they're was a timing cover bolt that was loose, turned out to be stripped. I then noticed that the distributor caps points were sheered off. I figured it was the loose bolt moving stuff around. I helicoiled the head, put the bolt back got new distributor/rotor, and tried to fire up agin with similar results. I have the metal lifter installed as well as the plastic cover. Can anyone give me an idea as to why this is happening? not the greatest pics, but you can see the shavings on the cover and one of the points is bent. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris

[ForcedFirebird]

Are you missing the alignment dowels that locate the cover? Those are very important to keep the rotor centered in the distributor cap.

[romeo294]

no, those two are there

[ForcedFirebird]

Maybe check the torque on the cam bolt? Something in there is obviously misaligned.

[romeo294]

i'll check that.

[AndrewBird]

What brand cap/rotor? Maybe they are manufactured wrong?

[E30-325iS]

Did you reinstall the front engine lift point?

[romeo294]

Yes. It seems as if I didn’t torque down cam bolt enough.

[ForcedFirebird]

Maybe check the torque on the cam bolt? Something in there is obviously misaligned.

Yes. It seems as if I didn’t torque down cam bolt enough.

Awesome! :)

[vWBIRDWv]

Did you reinstall the front engine lift point?

^^^^^^^^^^^ This is a spacer that keeps the timing cover spaced properly, without the little loop the cap will not be sitting over top of the rotor properly. i have had the same problem, broke 3 caps before i could figure out what was going on

[romeo294]

thanks, that was there. i got it reinstalled, and seems to be good, now having a fuel issue. possibly injectors, FPR, pump or relays. I'm currently investigating