Timing Issue?

[black rust]

After a trans swap, my truck won't start. It makes a popping sound like the cylinders are firing, but it won't run. Today a friend and I spent a good amount of time messing with the timing to see if we could fix it. Made sure the rotor is lined up with TDC for cylinder #1 and then tried advancing and retarding it various amounts to see if it would start. At one point it sounded like it was going to start, maybe even spinning the starter too fast, but once I let go of the key, it shut off. The distributor got wacked into the firewall during the trans swap, but I checked the shaft and it didn't look bent and I have a different cap on there now. Does this sound like a timming problem or soemthing else. I really hate my truck right now.

 

[ryoken]

find TDC.. either by finger over #1 till compression, or by the valves.. check rotor position. arrange, check or relace wires from that post. it should fire if it's a timing issue.... check timing...

Btw, it aways helps to list what year, etc.. It could be a points dizzy for all I know....

 

[black rust]

sorry, forgot. 1985 k5, 305/700r4.
I found TDC using that method twice, just to make sure I didn't mess up the first time. Didn't fire on either, but the truck sometimes sounds like it starting to run, but the moment I let off the starter it shuts down.
My friend also mentioned a plastic piece on the timing chain that sometimes wears out, but we didn't have time to check. I'm doubtful thats the problem however, becasue this problem seemed to happen suddenly, not like a part wearing out. It ran fine before the trans swap. Am I wrong?

 

[shaun89]

try swapping in a different distributor/coil, then try check spark on each plug. kind of obvious, but just another idea from my dumb head.

 

[black rust]

I did try swapping a different cap, which has the coil on it, all cylinders were getting spark. I'll see if I can get a distributor

 

[70jimmy]

check starter wiring, wiring to and from resistor block on firewall if so equipped, and ignition switch.

 

[black rust]

Starter works fine, ignition is getting power, so I don't think that's an issue

 

[82Scottsdale]

Check to see if any wires got pinched inbetween the tranny and the back of the engine block that could of got pinched between them

 

[shaun89]

did u unplug any spark plug wires and mess the order up?

 

[black rust]

I had pinched a couple wires, but I think I fixed them. Are there seperate wires that give power to the ignition during the start and run positions of the ignition switch or is it the same one?
I have unplugged spark plug wires, but only after this started to change the cap, and I was very careful not to mix them up, so that should be fine.