How to tune up, or service engine?

[Rc 415]

Details: Goodwrench 350, 10 years old, 70K miles, Starts right up no problems there. Edelbrock Manifold, Rochester 4 barrel.




My trucks service engine light has been on a while, and I would like to know what all I need to do to get it to go off? I'd also like to know a good guide on tuning up my 350, I replaced all the fluids already, plug wires as well, and flushed the radiator, whats next? my truck seems kind of sluggish, it even hesitates sometimes when I push the gas off a stop, it almost stalls, in fact a few times it has and I would like to get it running a lot better, what would you recommend? [Fuel filter it clean, and Dist cap and rotor are fairly new] Thanks. EDIT- Heard that the EGR could be my problem, how do I determine if its gone bad?

PS, I had another problem today, I got on the freeway on a low tank of gas, started going up hill, and it died on me, I guess the fuel was low enough that the pump was not able to get any fuel on a count of I was going up hill, how can I aid this problem?

[Walts_restoration]

to the running out of gas, dont be like my dad, if it gets low fill up just incase you need to go somewhere in a rush haha.

[Rc 415]

haha the other tank was full thankfully, just had to pull off and start it back up on the other tank.

[Bishops Trucks]

Change the plugs, Get a can of carb cleaner and spray that dirty carb all over. Spray it before you change the plugs and do it while it is running. You will have to work the linkage because it will want to stall out when you spray inside the carb but keep it going. When you are done with that, change the plugs, new distributor cap and rotor, air filter & fuel filter. All I can say about the gas issue is keep enough gas in it so it doesn't do that.

[Malo83]

Originally Posted by Bishops Trucks

Change the plugs, Get a can of carb cleaner and spray that dirty carb all over. Spray it before you change the plugs and do it while it is running. You will have to work the linkage because it will want to stall out when you spray inside the carb but keep it going. When you are done with that, change the plugs, new distributor cap and rotor, air filter & fuel filter. All I can say about the gas issue is keep enough gas in it so it doesn't do that.

X2, that carb is NASTY when was the last time is was rebuilt or has it ever? you to have the computer read and see what trouble code is giving you the Check Engine Light, you need to buy or rent an ECM code reader that will tell you what is going on under the hood and it will plug into the connector under the dash next to the emergency brake handle, oh and to clear the light and memory on the Computer you need to remove the"ECM" fuse in the upper right hand corner of the fuse panel.

[Rc 415]

Originally Posted by Malo83

X2, that carb is NASTY when was the last time is was rebuilt or has it ever? you to have the computer read and see what trouble code is giving you the Check Engine Light, you need to buy or rent an ECM code reader that will tell you what is going on under the hood and it will plug into the connector under the dash next to the emergency brake handle, oh and to clear the light and memory on the Computer you need to remove the"ECM" fuse in the upper right hand corner of the fuse panel.

Probably never, It was originally on a 305 but it was traded for a 350 bout 10 years ago, I'm guessing they just swapped the carb over. I'll try and get that stuff and see whats going on, thanks.

[Rc 415]

I forgot to put, but the Dist cap and rotor are pretty new.

[Rc 415]

I just got some carb cleaner and it says not to spray it on the carb while its hot or running, because its flammable, what should I do?

[Rc 415]

Originally Posted by Rc 415

I just got some carb cleaner and it says not to spray it on the carb while its hot or running, because its flammable, what should I do?

Well I did it with the truck running anyway, it didn't do too much though, carb does not look any different, and it does not really run any better... I used the whole can too.

[Rc 415]

Heres a inside pic

[Srubydo1986]

haha the service engine light i love those things i had an 86 do that i found out how to make it go out..... I replaced the engine cause nothing else fixed it.

(yes the old engine was a 305 and well i had a 350 just sitting in the corner)

[Rc 415]

Well i have sprayed the carb and got new plugs, but it still does it, what can it be?

[PhilaTruck]

Originally Posted by Rc 415

EDIT- Heard that the EGR could be my problem, how do I determine if its gone bad?

Grab the top and twist it. If it turns, replace it. Warm up the engine and push up on the underside. RPM should drop, if not clean or replace it.

(I suggest getting a Chilton or a Haynes repair manual or better yet, a shop manual.)

When was the last time you checked the timing?

Did you replace the fuel filter or just observe that it was clean?

Change the oil and filter?

Malo83's pix have some good electrical connection shots for your other post.

Hope this helps-

-Todd

[68GMC454]

the best way i found out to get these lights to go out is to cover them up with a l;ittle piece of card board...you might want to see if the connections for the light are good and not corroded..

[Morgsie]

Originally Posted by 68GMC454

the best way i found out to get these lights to go out is to cover them up with a l;ittle piece of card board...

Why not just pull the bulb if you're going to all that trouble

[MylilBowTie]

You don't need a computer to read the codes. You jumper port A and B with the ignition in to the on position. Do not start the truck with the jumper in place. It can mess up the ecm.

[PhilaTruck]

Nice work-around MylilBowtie! I ended up pulling the ECM from my 83. It controlled only the alternator.

RC, I hope you get the performance you're looking for-

-Todd

[Rc 415]

Ok I connected port a and b, turned the ignition on but didnt start the truck, and all I get is a clicking coming from the carb, and this light starts blinking (what light is this and where is it supposed to go? it was just hanging behind my gauge cluster):

[Rc 415]

Where is the ecm code supposed to show up??

[MylilBowTie]

The blinking light should be. It should flash all the codes three times. It will show a code 12 (blink once... blink twice) and then it start the rest of the codes. You will have to watch the blinking sequence to get the number of the code. If you mess up it will start all over again with 12 and then the other codes.

[MylilBowTie]

I pretty sure that blinking light goes into the gauge cluster. It should illuminate the check engine light. You can use a flash light on the back of the gauges. That will light it up and show you where the to put it.

[Rc 415]

Ok, I went to count the blinking again, and this time it just does 12 over and over again, it was doing other ones before i removed the ecm fuse for a few minutes, how do I get those back? The service engine light still stays on, but no codes blink except for 12.

[MylilBowTie]

Those codes are lost now. It will need to be driven and see if the check engine light comes back on. If it does it should store the code. But if the ECM fuse is pulled or if the battery is disconnected it will erase it.

[Rc 415]

Thats the thing the check engine light is still on but 12 is the only code that flashes

[MylilBowTie]

Did you take the jumper out?