Truck no Start

[twiget]

It has been a while since I've had time to mess with my truck, but now I'm back at it. I measured the resistance of the pickup coil from ground to both pins, it was ~500k. I also measured from pin to pin, don't remember what the reading was, but it was a lot higher than the service manual's spec. So hopefully this is the culprit.

Since I'm this deep into it already, I decided to do the plugs and wires too. I went and got all the parts for the rebuild and started on it today.

I've got the distributor out. I knocked the pin out of the bottom of the distributor shaft, and as I'm trying to get the center shaft out, it seizes. No matter what I do it will not budge. It is a moot point though because the top of the shaft, that sits in the middle of the pickup coil is completely rusted and fell apart. So now it looks like I need the lower part of the distributor too.

I've checked out Jeg's and I found an MSD Ignition Kit, but as you can see it is kind of spendy. I can take all the parts I have back for a refund, so it is not too bad. My question though is this; is this a good place to start upgrading the motor? Is there a kit out there that might work better for me?

I also have an oil consumption issue, and by the looks of a couple of my spark plugs, the piston rings might be the culprit. There will be some upgrades included with that repair too, I'm sure. The ultimate goal is ~450ft/lbs below 3,000rpm

 

[rdn2blazer]

My 89' 350TBI burb is doing the same thing. I will look at the same issues. When I try to start it, it starts, then dies right away. Sometimes it will run for a good few moments then just as I hit the brakes or go to pt it in drive it dies. Then NOTHING. No click or tick of the starter, nothing. I try turning the key a few times and nothing. Sit for a few moments, try again starts, runs, dies. When it did run for a good while, I drove it around the block and it died on me driving. I finally got it parked in front of my house thank god. Whould you say similar issues or no?

 

[twiget]

Nope, does not sound like the same issue I am having. Since your truck actually starts, and runs for a little while, it is safe to assume its got spark and fuel. My truck would not even start. Further investigation found that it does not have spark, and the injectors are not pulsing.

 

[rdn2blazer]

Nope, does not sound like the same issue I am having. Since your truck actually starts, and runs for a little while, it is safe to assume its got spark and fuel. My truck would not even start. Further investigation found that it does not have spark, and the injectors are not pulsing.

Yep, you are correct. I wonder if it's my ignition switch in my colume. It would only start when the typical lights in the dash would light up. Right when I would go to start it when turning the key from auxillery to start, the lights would go out and it would not start. Like it lost contact somewhere.

 

[Thunder]

Twiget. I would not bother with a MSD dist and box. Waste of money on a TBI engine IMHO. The stock TBI dist is fine and a lot cheaper. A Blaster II coil is a good add on and some good wires like MSD or Taylor.
You can get a good rebuilt dist for around $100
If you want a good new Dist i recomend one of these: http://www.performancedistributors.com/gmcomputerdist.htm
Their coils also very good.

rdn2blazer: If your battery cables and grounds are good. And all the connections at the starter are tight.
I would highly suspect the ignition switch

 

[twiget]

#1 TDC is pretty easy if your timing tab is marked/accurate. Pop the #1 plug out, rotate engine with socket wrench on crank with thumb over spark plug hole. Once you start to feel compression, bring it up to "0" on the timing mark.

Ok, stupid question: How do I get a socket on the crank with out taking the fan and fan shroud off? I can not even get my hand down there to the crank pulley. Any idea what size socket is on the crank?

 

[BIOHZDK5]

Use a 1/2 sw with a 6" ext with a 5/8. Crank to the left as not to loosen the bolt. I have better luck cranking from under the truck. Good luck

 

[twiget]

Thanks.

Next question, how do I make sure I'm at TDC on the compression stroke and not the exhaust stroke?

 

[BIOHZDK5]

Use the timing mark on the balancer as a guide. If you can look inside the piston with sparkplug out you can double check that way. I have always used the timing mark and then fine tuned the timing once my dist was in or my plug wires were hooked up. My nephews truck had some dist issues and had to find TDC three times. By the third time I had it down to a science!