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Truck wont start..not sure what to do

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chev4life

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So...got the thread chaser for the plug...plug installed, got my dip stick tube, hooked the rest of the goodies up and went to start the bitch...and...nothing. Its turning over via the starter but it sounds funny almost like the starter is trying really hard but no kick. I can smell the gas and I pulled the coil wire and there is spark. I am totally lost. I tried twisting the cap as much as I could and nothing.
My thinks it sounds like it did when I was getting no spark or gas...but I have both now at least with the smells.
Please help, I need this bitch to start.
 
Timing is probably wrong IF your starter, battery and connections are good. Too much timing and the starter fights the engine as it tries to start.
 
I guess so...I could of sworn I had that thing in the exact way I had pulled it out. I guess I can try it out. I didnt unhook the starter and I know the bat is good. How much off could it be and not start?
 
You may have it in the exact way you pulled it out, except that the piston comes to the top on the compression stroke and once again on the exhaust stroke.
 
4X4HIGH said:
You may have it in the exact way you pulled it out, except that the piston comes to the top on the compression stroke and once again on the exhaust stroke.
Click to expand...
Which means I could of had it at the exhaust stroke on cylinder one when the cap was pointed to one? would that make a difference in setting the rocker lash?
 
chev4life said:
Which means I could of had it at the exhaust stroke on cylinder one when the cap was pointed to one? would that make a difference in setting the rocker lash?
Click to expand...

YES
 
4X4HIGH said:
Yes on both counts.
Click to expand...
So could I flip the cap and if it starts then redo the torque on the rockers or should I try to do both at the same time...I guess I am asking...will it hurt anything with the lash the way I have it setup?
 
Will do...thanks for the help. I will flop the 180deg and recheck the rockers. So what would be the best way to get to TDC if I dont know where the dist should be pointing?
 
TDC #1 is easy. Easier with two people. :)

Pull all your plugs. Put a breaker bar on the harmonic balancer bolt. Put a finger over #1 cylinder spark plug hole. When you feel air pressure PUSHING against your finger, (IE, it's trying to push your finger out of the spark plug hole) the piston is coming up to #1 TDC. You can measure however you like, but basically you are looking for the point where the piston is not moving up or down in stroke. (thus TDC) You can use a screwdriver or similar, just not something that can fit in the cylinder, and you don't want something getting cocked at an angle as the piston is coming up.

To adjust the valves, all you have to do is watch them. Turn the crank, once the rocker stops going down, a bit further crank movement and you can be sure that cam lifter is on the non-lift portion of the camshaft lobe. Spin the pushrod with your finger while SLOWLY tightening the rocker nut, when you feel the slightest bit of drag on the pushrod as you spin it, stop. 1/2 turn (is what I use) past that point and it's set. You can always back the nut off a hair and try over so you can get a good feel for it.

You can do other cylinders at the same time, but personally I like to watch each individual rocker to make doubly sure I don't miss something.
 
Well, tried 180deg rotation with no luck. Anymore ideas? What is the best way to find the timing I need? I am thinking I need to get to TDC and then roughly point the dist rotor at cyl 1...is this right?
 
Yes, if you are close it will turn over easily, and still attempt to start.

You need to assure your valves are adjusted correctly first, (did you? didn't mention it) or you are wasting your time worrying about timing.
 
If you have the valve cover off anyway, you can tell when #1 is on the compression stroke by wiggling the rockers. When that cylinder is firing, both rockers will be loose. If one or the other are tight, it is on an intake or exhaust stroke.
 
Thats a good call...so if they are both fully closed and get the cylinder coming up then when it hits its top fo the compression stroke...that is TDC and my rotor should be pointing at it to fire the plug.
 
yep, I usually use the rockers to tell me when the cylinder is on a firing stroke, and then use a probe of some kind into the spark plug hole to tell me exactly where TDC is.
Rotor should be pointing to the #1 position on the cap, which also basically points at the #1 cylinder on the engine. (Drivers front)
 
along the same lines...

rotate till #1 intake rocker has come up and is on it's way down.. keep rotating till the timing mark on the balance comes up to 0.. that will be top dead center..
 
So...I pulled the valve covers, set the engine to TDC and continued through to get all the valves adjusted. I pointed the rotor at #1 cylinder when at TDC, buttoned it all back up and tried to start it......it almost went and then set a code and wouldnt let the starter kick at all. I am at a loss. Can someone remind me how to check the codes again? I am baffled.
 
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