Help with a 2nd gen that won't start.

[Talisman]

Hey guys, I am posting this for a freind. If you have any ideas, then please post them. This is a quote from him...

"We purchased it not running. the motor turns, and you can hear the exhaust when your turning it over, it wants to start soo bad.
i know nothing about imports, since i was raised around old chevy drag cars.
but anyway i did wires and a cap, distributer looks like its never been changed so thats next on the list.
me and 2 other friends own the car we each pitched in like 20$ or so.
but yeah i think one said they checked for spark wth a timing gun and its getting spark. none of us have had time to work on it tho.
but i was thinkin the timing is off?
also the kid i got it from, who has very little knowledge of cars said he "re-wired it". so im thinkin he coulda messed something up their.
anyway if you have any idea's of what it is let me know."

The car in question is an 87 5speed (4cyl obviously since 6 was not offered yet)

[Nico]

Phew that could be so many things !
- If there is injection could be just the efi fuse (injection)
- Perhaps bad timing but I think the engine would start though...
- If wires, distributor and spark plugs are in a good condition or new, my guess is that you don't have all the grounds
attached or tight > Just to make sure connect a quick start cable (not really sure this is the right word in English) from the negative port of your battery to your engine and try that way

Hope this helps ...