Please help me get my truck running! 85 C10 w/ ignition prob

[SKarpenz]

I did the plugs, wires, cap, and rotor and I wasn't getting spark, it would just crank and crank but not run. The firing order is correct, and I replaced the control module because it tested bad. Now it sounds like it wants to crank and run but just cranks like twice then stops. I'm really at a loss as to what is wrong. Its a 85 pickup with a 350 in it.

[knightlife]

did you put the bug in upside down? is it getting fuel? also, tried moving the distributor around? *thinx* do you have the TDC of cylinder #1 matching that on the distributor? tried any b-12 chemtool quick sprays in the carb? fuel filter bad?

tons of ops check stuff breh...lemme know if none of those worked :/

[SKarpenz]

Plenty of fuel, new filter, I have NOT played with the position of the distributor. This is actually the first carb'd truck I've messed with so I'm still new to it all. I am 98% sure the TDC on cyl 1 is in sync with the distributor since I checked it a fe days ago. It does get spark at random, I checked it by letting a spark plug ground out on a bracket. I'll check the position of the distributor, but anything else to look for or tweak?

[Shaffer4]

Is the HEI Plugged in? I had a similar problem before and after several days of head scratching I found that the HEI wire had come unplugged from my fuse block...

[SKarpenz]

Yeah, I plugged everything back in correctly, I'm sure.

It ran great when I bought it, but I did a tune-up on it and afterwards it wouldnt crank anymore.

[Srubydo1986]

heres a thought are all the clips for the wires to the plugs clipped in. (ive doon my far share of doing that forgetting to clip the wire all the way back on.

also another thought you repaced the cap so did you put the little prong that attaches the could to rotor in correctly also are they touching.

check tp make shure that no spark plug cracked during install (done it before )

[Malo83]

Just did a tune up on my 83 for a smog test,passed , but you need to go back and double check all the elect connections on the HEI. make sure the new Module is plugged in all the way,when you changed the Cap did you put the coil back in with the Ground connector mounted underneath? also check that you put the hot wire to the Batt terminal on the cap and not the Tach terminal, and make sure the Cap assy is fully seated on the Distributor with the 4 L-hooks fully turned in and engaged. Check that the plug wire are back on the cap in the right firing order. Looking at the rotor from the top the #5 plug wire should be at the 1o'clock position,#7 plug wire should be at the 2 o'clock position, the #2 plug wire should be at the 4 o'clock position, #1 plug wire at the 5 o;clock pos.,#8 plug at the 7 o'clock pos.,#4 plug wire at the 8 o'clock pos.,#3 plug wire at the 10 o'clock pos., and the #6 plug wire at the 11 o'clock pos. Looking at the engine from the front the right bank of plugs would be 1-3-5-7, Left side 2-4-6-8
Sounds like something isn't hooked up or not hooked up all the way, just double check all the elect connectors to the Dist. if it ran before the tune up

[liljon285]

Yes check the wire...check if its getting any electricity cuz what u explained sounds similiar to what i had and i just plugged the hei cable to the right cable(ignition) and it works great now.

[SKarpenz]

Wow, I guess I really could be that dim, but I will check tomorrow and make sure. Thanks for the help guys.

[Srubydo1986]

its not as an insult it just like me im shure many of us have done the ",o crap i can believe i didnt ....." frays

I have amost burned down my chevelle a few time cause of forgetfelness.


Let us now if anyof this works if not well think of something else
heck it could be a blown fuseable link.

[knightlife]

you can ask any one of my friends and family about how many times Ive talked about just rolling my truck over to EOD and telling them "GO FOR IT!", because I forgot sumpin!

[piecesparts]

Replace two things and I believe your problem will be fixed. Take the dizzyout and replace the "Pickup coil" in the base of it. This will require taking the dizzy shaft out of the housing. Also while you are there replace the module that is in the bottom of the housing. After that re-install dizzy, start, and adjust timing.