[Mborras1]

Whats up to all

New to this forum and wanted to introduce myself being the newbie. From Chicago mechanically inclined. Done some trans swaps on VW and motor swaps on a BMW and general suspension sub frames and basic electrical.
Just picked up an 03 mdx base yesterday flawless condition inside out two small rust stains no bigge.
Car cranks no start.
Dead battery currently on charger and plan on digging in Saturday morning. 1st time owner of Honda/Acura so looking for any suggestions on what to be aware of and any flaws these SUV may have.

 

[AaronP]

Congratulations on the purchase, and welcome. Get it fired up and see how she runs! You might not have much to do or you might be really busy!

 

[AaronP]

Looks like mine

 

[Mborras1]

Thanks to all

so I was able to dig in a bit over the weekend and found some concerns. 1st one is the NEG battery
Wire is stripped off and they had it wrapped around the ground that runs from the fan area to the motor this is obviously wrong we’re does the main battery ground bolt onto the block?
2nd is timing looks like someone tried to do a timing job and failed. I pulled all plugs bank 1 was a bit choppy oil gas fouling a bit sludgy bank 2 was clean just gas fouled plugs look newish. This lead me to timing. Pulled the covers dropped a screw driver down Cyl1 turned by hand till cyl1 was at TDC by eye and seen bank 1 was off by a pinch retard and bank 2 looking at it like a clock with the mark being 12 o clock the cam was at about 430so almost 180 off. I have not cranked it but the fellow I got it from said it cranks no start so he obviously cranked on it.
my next question is this an interference motor? And if so how do I verify nothing made contact without a boroscope? The motor turns over just fine but the damage may already be done.
my plan was to reset the timing and see what happens but before I invest the time I need to see down the cylinders any suggestions?