I bought this firebird with a spun rod bearing. It was running with the knock in the motor. I fixed the motor and put it back in and now when I try to start it, when it fires it kicks back and has broke two starters. I can pull the ignition fuse out and the motor turns over great. Before the second starter broke I let my wife try to start it and it ran for a few seconds and sounded great but it died and when I tryed to start it again it kicked back and broke an ear off the second starter. The car has a lt1 with an auto trans. I don't know if there is a sensor messed up or what. Please help!

 

It sounds almost like a timing issue. Almost as if the advance is messed up and it is firing way before TDC. Is the timing chain and opti back together and timed right???

 

I agree sounds like my timing is way advanced. I did get the timing dots lined up with a new chain. On the opti spark I believe that the dowel pin on the cam only fits into one spot on the opti? It did start and run great for a few seconds. Is there anything that changes the timing besides the opti spark?

 

Sounds like it's spinning backwards if you say it kicks back..I know that's hard to believe..but that's what it sounds like..

 

its the optispark cross firing in the cap. after MANY read this post they will bash on my comment, but trust me. i fixed a caprice a few weeks ago with this same problem, and ive had a few others do it too. there was a post a few months back about this same problem

 

dont keep throwing starters at it either. it will break the starter nose every time

 

i was having the same problem with mine make sure its shimmed bro

 

So cant I just clean the cap or should I spend the money on a new cap and rotor? I don't have the extra money to throw at it but I do want it fixed right.

 

I broke three starters with the same problem before I figured it out. The opti rotor had come apart and caused all kinds of cross fire issues. First thing you should do is pull the opti and open it up to see if your issue is similar. Cap and rotor could possibly fix it.

Mec

 

ok I will pull it apart today. I will let yaw know what I find.

 

I will have to remember this, that's some weird ****. But it makes sense.

 

i pulled the opti off and the the cap had some build up on the points. The opti sensor had some oil all over it.

 

I agree. Put a cap and rotor on it. I am kicking over 380 inches at 12.5 to 1 CR. Even a cheap $50 e-bay special had no problems with it

 

I put a new opti on it with a new cap and rotor. I will be getting anoter starter this week so I hope this fixes it.

 

sorry to bring back the dead but any results from this?

 

yea im intrested in knowing cuz i have a similar problem...any results??