engine problems......help

[bojak]

I took my truck to my buddy's shop for him to install a lift for me. He gives me the brother in law rate but the catch is he works on it between real customers. That is code for some time after I start fussing around the month mark. So I dropped off a freshly tuned up truck that ran really good. Small block with TBI. 6 weeks later he calls and says come get it. I show up and it runs like crap. Blowing black smoke, sputtering idel, have to pump it to get it to fire. So far that has equalled new dizzy, new tpi sensor, another set of new plugs and wires and we are not really any closer to figuring out what the real problem is. Does anyone have any suggestions where to look from here? I feel sorry for my buddy and pissed at the same time. I know it's not his fault, but it was running great when I left it and now its not and I'm trying to put out a fire with money. His latest suggestion is ditch the TBI for carb which means intake as well. Which means moooorrrreeeeee freaking money. Any suggestion are really appreciated.

[y5mgisi]

Does it run bad all the time? Hard to start from the get go?

[bojak]

When its cold it will fire up and run ok for a minute, then not good. Turn it off or it stalls out and hard to crank from there and keep idelling. Fouled a set of new plugs already. The only engine work done between it running good and 6 weeks later was tightened down my header bolts and put the lock washers on them. No actual parts changeing or anything.

[y5mgisi]

Might he have mucked up your oxygen sensor? Or could the coolant sensor wire have come un done? Maybe see if someone near by has a scanner.

[motornut]

with some lifts brake lines are moved ajusted or replaced
I would wonder a gas line break, but it would be smelly and show up on the ground?

[rfmaster]

Make sure that CTS (coolant temperature sensor ) is good and connected. In your original post you have described all classic conditions of disconnected (or bad) CTS. This is sensor is $15 and screws into intake manifold just in front of the thermostat housing.
Also check and see if ECM has set any trouble code - install jumper between terminals A&B of the ALDL connector and turn ignition on while observing SES light blinks. EFI trucks are much easier to diagnose.

//RF