'88 2.8 Starting woes, help me!

[3400 Z26]

Ok, here is the rundown... The car is a '88 Buick Regal w/ 2.8 6Mos. ago the previous owner went to replace the lower intake gasket due to massive loss of oil Upon reassembly, the car won't start. Now, this guy was like "give me a distributor and points, and I can make it start". Basically he had the wires backwards, even bank on odds and odds on even. After switching them back still won't start. He gave up on the car and gave it to me. Since then I have:

-checked fuel pressure (it checked fine)
-had the coils and the ign. module checked (checked fine)
-made sure everything was hooked up properly, including under the upper intake w/ the injectors (everything is hooked up and fine)
-checked grounds (all fine)
-checked injectors (all checked within range)
-checked spark (its there)

So.. now I'm here asking beacuse maybe there is something I haven't thought of. One thing: it was massively flooded when I got her. So bad that the oil has gas in it. I have tried pulling the plugs and drying them (always wet they are), and same result. When turning over, the engine is "trying" to fire. Once in a while I get a pop or two. I wonder, could it be just that terribly flooded?! Hopefully you guys have a better inkling for me! TIA!

Mike
3400 Beretta Z26
2.8 Buick Regal

[Rhedalert]

You know about "clear flood mode" by cranking the engine with the gas pedal floored?

[geoffinbc]

Well if you have spark the Crank Position sensor must be ok. Do the injectors fire when engine turns over? I am thinking they would since you are flooded but maybe someone tried to start it by spraying gas in the intake.

Try the clear flood mode. Also check the engine coolant temp sensor for the correct resistance. 3400ohms at 21*C (70*F) so basically room temp.

[3400 Z26]

Yea, I know about the clear flood mode. I tried it the other day, but that is when it was almost firing but not quite. I may try to pull the plugs and dry them (and maybe let it sit a few days with the plugs out to dry the cyl) and see what we got. I'm really hoping its just really really flooded!?

Mike
3400 Beretta Z26
2.8 Buick Regal

[3400 Z26]

Ok here's the update... I tried drying the plugs.. nothing. I tried starting fluid... nothing. I tried just cranking a lot... nothing. It is still kinda firing. Seems more like its backfiring out the intake to me. I am going to check compression on it when it gets warmer (its like -25 with the wind here) and go from there. Is there any way this guy could have messed up the timing by doing the lower intake gasket?! I don't think so, but that is the way it acts. And, speaking of timing, is there a way to check timing w/o having to take off the cover and look? Would help a ton at this point! TIA.

Mike
3400 Z26
2.8 Buick Regal

[Rhedalert]

What is the fuel pressure when in the "on" position? And you are absolutely sure you have spark on all 6 cylinders?

[Rhedalert]

I also forgot to mention that many 1988 2.8's Ive come across have another sensor on the block, just below the throttle body. I THINK it's a sensor for the fuel pump. They integrated that into the oil pressure sensor in '89+. Since it's in the area of the lower intake, check it out to see if it's not plugged in or broken.

[3400 Z26]

The fuel pressure was 50 until pump shut off, then held steady at 42-47 psi (I checked like 5 times). I'll have to check that sensor under the TB, sounds like it might be the suspect (I hope). I'll also go through all the cylinders again for spark. I'm really hoping this things runs soon! I need it so that I can start working on my roomies g/f's Contour (hey, at least they circled the problem!)... Thanks again guys.

Mike
3400 Z26
2.8 Buick Regal