Tbi 350 won't fire has fuel/spark - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bikes&bowties · 12-31-2011, 02:54 PM

To start off it's an 87 engine that I swapped a 91 cab onto. Hooked everything up and it won't start. It turns over and has fuel at the injectors and has spark but still won't start. I need some ideas thrown at me. Thanks guys
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IOWNATRUCK · 12-31-2011, 03:19 PM

id check the basic connections and things first, starter, battery etc... start simple.

bikes&bowties · 12-31-2011, 03:46 PM

Has power to everything. You can here the fuel pump prime, the starter turns over good.... Battery is on a charger just to maintain it while I work.
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**mr48chev** · 12-31-2011, 04:02 PM

Pull number one plug and bring the engine up on compression and make sure that the distributor is in time.

I'm going to take the liberty of assuming you may not know how to do that and give a quick explanation. If you do know, just go on about your business of checking things.

After pulling number one plug (the front one on the US driver's side of the engine) have a helper bump the engine over with the starter while you have your finger over the plug hole. It would be best to disconnect the hot lead to the distributor first though.
When you feel it push the air out against your finger check the timing marks to see how close they are to being lined up. This may take several tries to get the marks lined up. You want to be sure of the marks first though.

When it's up on compression and the marks are lined up check the rotor to make sure it is pointing at the spot where the number one terminal is on the cap.

Once that is right, put the plug back in and connect the wire to the distributor and it should fire.

Also the firing order goes clockwise. I say that because when I had my first small block V8 it was after years of driving a Buick Nailhead and then an Olds 350 and I had it wired wrong and fought it for two days..

ttcunn · 12-31-2011, 04:05 PM

First, what type of ignition system do you have? I would start at the distributor and work my way to the coil also make sure that the dist has power.

bikes&bowties · 12-31-2011, 05:17 PM

Just an update. It was totally timing. Thanks everyone for the ideas!
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12-31-2011, 02:54 PM	#1
bikes&bowties Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Washington Posts: 663	Tbi 350 won't fire has fuel/spark To start off it's an 87 engine that I swapped a 91 cab onto. Hooked everything up and it won't start. It turns over and has fuel at the injectors and has spark but still won't start. I need some ideas thrown at me. Thanks guys Posted via Mobile Device

12-31-2011, 03:19 PM	#2
IOWNATRUCK Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Matthews, NC Posts: 129	Re: Tbi 350 won't fire has fuel/spark id check the basic connections and things first, starter, battery etc... start simple.

12-31-2011, 03:46 PM	#3
bikes&bowties Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Washington Posts: 663	Re: Tbi 350 won't fire has fuel/spark Has power to everything. You can here the fuel pump prime, the starter turns over good.... Battery is on a charger just to maintain it while I work. Posted via Mobile Device

12-31-2011, 04:02 PM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,719	Re: Tbi 350 won't fire has fuel/spark Pull number one plug and bring the engine up on compression and make sure that the distributor is in time. I'm going to take the liberty of assuming you may not know how to do that and give a quick explanation. If you do know, just go on about your business of checking things. After pulling number one plug (the front one on the US driver's side of the engine) have a helper bump the engine over with the starter while you have your finger over the plug hole. It would be best to disconnect the hot lead to the distributor first though. When you feel it push the air out against your finger check the timing marks to see how close they are to being lined up. This may take several tries to get the marks lined up. You want to be sure of the marks first though. When it's up on compression and the marks are lined up check the rotor to make sure it is pointing at the spot where the number one terminal is on the cap. Once that is right, put the plug back in and connect the wire to the distributor and it should fire. Also the firing order goes clockwise. I say that because when I had my first small block V8 it was after years of driving a Buick Nailhead and then an Olds 350 and I had it wired wrong and fought it for two days..

12-31-2011, 04:05 PM	#5
ttcunn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Winter Haven, Fl Posts: 15	Re: Tbi 350 won't fire has fuel/spark First, what type of ignition system do you have? I would start at the distributor and work my way to the coil also make sure that the dist has power.

12-31-2011, 05:17 PM	#6
bikes&bowties Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Washington Posts: 663	Re: Tbi 350 won't fire has fuel/spark Just an update. It was totally timing. Thanks everyone for the ideas! Posted via Mobile Device



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