I changed the valve cover gaskets, the spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor this weekend. Now the check engine light does not come on when you turn the key on and the engine will rotate but doesn't start.

START THE ENGINE AND LIFT THE IGNITION WIRE LISTEN FOR SPARKS.IF ONE OR MORE CYLINDERS DON'T CHANGE THE WAY IS RUNNING ,YOU GOT THE BAD CYLINDER. LOOK FOR BURN MARKS ON THE WIRE(BLUE/WHITE SPOT)IF SO REPLACE THE WIRE.SOME TIMES VALVE COVER LEAKING IN THE TUBE. REPLACE VALVE COVER GASKET,BLOW THE OIL OUT BEFORE REMOVE THE SPARK PLUGS.REMOVE THE SPARK PLUGS AND INSPECT THE ELECTRODE.GOOD ELECTRODE WILL BE WITH SHARP EDGE ,IF ROUND OR LIKE CONE REPLACE WITH DENSO OR NGK ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT . REMOVE THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND LOOK FOR OIL IN THE CAP. IF OIL INSIDE REPLACE DISTRIBUTOR. IF NO OIL INSPECT THE CAP AND ROTOR FOR THICK WHITE DEPOSIT OR ROTOR FOR BLACK BURN MARKS. REPLACE CAP AND ROTOR.IF EL.SYSTEM IS OK SPRAY CARB CLEANER ON INTAKE MANIFOLD AND LISTEN FOR RPM CHANGE.IF CHANGE THE RPM REPLACE MANIFOLD GASKET.

Mark the spark plug wires for the cylinder number using a short piece of masking tape on each wire. Remove all the spark plugs using the spark plug wrench. The engine will be easier to turn by hand with the spark plugs removed and it's a good time to replace them if required. Remove the valve cover from over the number one cylinder. On a V-block engine this is normally the valve cover on the driver's side. On in-line engines the number one cylinder is the one closest to the front of the car. Check your vehicle's specifications to be sure which cylinder is number one.

Rotate the engine clockwise and observe the valves on the number one cylinder. When both valves are in the up position, insert a screwdriver into the number one cylinder through the spark plug hole. Rotate the engine very slowly back and forth until the screwdriver is at the maximum height. This indicates the number one cylinder is at Top Dead Center or "TDC" on the compression stroke.

Locate the number one spark plug wire on distributor cap and make a tic-mark of this position with a marker pen on the distributor housing. Remove the distributor cap and observe the position of the rotor.

Loosen the distributor hold down bolt and turn distributor until the rotor is lined up with the mark you made in Step 3. Your timing is now set to zero degrees of mechanical timing.

Replace the valve cover using a new gasket. Replace the spark plugs and spark plug wires using the marks from Step 1. You may want to mark the harmonic balancer with a zero point referenced to a fixed point on the engine. A fixed point could be a bolt head or accessory bracket that does not move when the engine is running. Later on this mark can be used as an indicator for stroboscopic timing.

Connect a vacuum gauge to a manifold vacuum source. Most engines will have a port at the base of the carburetor or throttle body where a gauge can be connected. Start the engine and observe the vacuum gauge reading.

Turn the distributor until the maximum vacuum gauge reading is noted. Back off one inch of vacuum from the maximum reading. Tighten the distributor hold down bolt. Normal readings average from 14 to 21 inches of vacuum depending on the condition of the engine.

Test drive the vehicle and listen for pinging noises. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 if excessive pinging is heard, or if there is a significant loss of power. The timing is correct when the vehicle operates at maximum power without the engine hard starting, backfiring, or pinging on acceleration.

check fuel filter,or fuel injectors, fuel pressure regulator.Also check fuel filler cap.Check exhaust system for plugged catalytic converter,muffler,bent exhaust pipes,etc.

POSSIBLE distributor cap and rotor spark plug wires

if oil is sitting on top of your plugs, it wont start. probably have a bad valve cover gasket. blow oil out and dry out the plug wire boots with carb cleaner.

You need to get the timing checked, did you mark the position of the distributor before you took it off. If not you might be slightly off with the new distrib.

Before doing anything else crank the engine to see which way it turns counterclockwise or clockwise.With the distributor cap removed. look for and locate the number one spark plug wire. If the engine turns clockwise you will have to install the wires in firing order clockwise.

After removing the number one spark plug. Turn the motor manually by hand until you can see that the piston is at the top. Check by inserting a rubber or platic straw that it is at the top. With both intake and outtake valves pressed down. you have to remove the valve cover for that. insert the distributor so that the rotor points to the number one spark plug. replace the cap and replace the wires as explianed. Clockwise or counter clockwise.

Take the car to a car wash and power wash the engine. Do this ONLY with a cold engine. And be prepared to have problems with it starting as water get's into the electrical components. Take some WD-40 with you to spray inside distributor caps, on spark wiring, etc. to get the engine running again.

Then check the engine weekly to see where the oil is coming from.

This sounds like the timing belt is shot. Remove the distributor cap, have your helper crank the engine. Is the rotor turning?? If not, then it is the timing belt. Some engines are rather forgiving when the belt breaks, some will get bent valves. Frankster016