1998 Pontiac Firebird  I have a 1998 firebird 3.8 v6 it wont
start and I need help? For a while it would run but still
backfire and my rpm gaige would jump and then die. Now it wont
even start but still backfires when you turn the key over. It
has brand new plugs wires coils. December 19, 2011.  Pull #1
plug. Rotate the engine until the #1 piston reaches the top of
its rotation. Look at the harmonic balancer. You should see a
notch lined up with the timing mark on the timing cover. If not,
rotate the engine 180 degrees, bringing the piston up and check
again. Remove the distributor cap. The rotor electrode should be
pointing to #1 plug wire tower. If not, loosen the distributor
hold down, replace the plug and cap, and slowly turn the
distributor until the engine fires. If this doesn't work, check
for spark and fuel delivery. If these are good, you most likely
have a timing chain that has skipped gears.  Dec 19, 2011.