rickjames343

My dad and I installed an lt4 hotcam and 1.6 RRs in my z28. The first time we tried to crank it, it started up fine. We let it idle for a bit, then revved it some. Once it it about 4K, it just died. After that, it won't crank, and sounds weird when its turning over. The only way we can get it to crank it if im turning it over and my dad is giving it gas. Once we get it running, it won't idle right away, but if we take it up too high it'll die. Any ideas?

new parts include

plugs
wires
waterpump
headers
cam
rockers
springs
lifters
retainers
various sensors

98creamsickle

you get your computer tuned for the cam???

rickjames343

not yet, but would that affect it being able to start up? It audibly sounds different when its trying to crank after it dies.

98creamsickle

whats your fuel pressure at? and how long was it running when you initially started it?

rickjames343

Fuel pressure im not sure of. But we let it run for about 2-3 minutes, then did a few revs to bout 3K, then did one that went over 4K and it died and made this god awful noise.

98creamsickle

what kind of noise? backfire, snap, ping, pang, knock, slap, lol i could keep going

rickjames343

not backfiring for sure...but it sounds almost screeching or squealing i guess. It sounds like something metallic id say.

98creamsickle

ehhh... is this the whole time it was running. or did it start after you revved it?

rickjames343

It ran fine, but when we revved it to bout 4k it made said noise and died. Then it wont start without turning it over and giving it gas and it still struggles to start.

98creamsickle

ok, i talked to one of my buddies that knows his lt1s like the back of his hands... sorry to say, he started to laugh and said to find out what happened, popping the valve covers off its a start... this sounds internal, which isnt necessarely a good thing. all i can say man is to tear it apart and look for something unusual, you know?

rickjames343

We took off both valvecovers and the rockers and everything were fine. Everything to do with the cam is workig fine, and the alternator, p/s pump, crank, ac pulley all spin freely.

98creamsickle

i know when I took my water pump off once when doing my opti, after I put it back on (highly suggest that you replace water pump when ever its taken off) it started to squeel like a ****, try to determine where it is actually coming from

rickjames343

We did replace the waterpump, so that'll be the first place we look tomorrow. Thanks a lot for your help!

98creamsickle

no problem man, good luck. If you have any more q's just pm me

Injuneer

Did you verify the correct length of the cam dowel pin, before you put the Opti on?