84 454 wont run, engine swap

[bikes&bowties]

I have tried everything. Its a 454 out of another truck that was running great, I resealed it and touched nothing internal. Everything was tight and in shape, its all stock, except for an edelbrock off of another big block. I have tried the wore out quadrajet that was on it and it acted the same as well as two stock distributors, I had spark with both of them. All vaccum ports are blocked off or routed to there spot, just a vaccum advance, pcv, and brake booster. It has fuel to the carb (hit the throttle and the accelerator pump sprays fuel, timing anywhere from 0-12 degrees advanced at (changed it while ****ing with it. I can get it to run a bit if I pour fuel down the carb but it eventually dies. lots of raw fuel... Thats all I have I think, I just dont get why it wont run...

[Organism_ike]

Has the 454 ever been rebuilt or stripped down as far as you know?
Posted via Mobile Device

[bikes&bowties]

nope. But it ran great before it was pulled.

[cory d]

do you live/work in quincy? i have seen a truck just like yours when i pass through there

[bikes&bowties]

Originally Posted by cory d

do you live/work in quincy? i have seen a truck just like yours when i pass through there

Thats me!

[rs74]

Did the truck that you put it in run right before the swap? Has it sat a while to where there might be a wiring issue somewhere. Not sure what might be going on there. If you have both fuel and spark then you should be good to go I would think. Have you rechecked for a big vaccum leak. That happened to me once on a 3.8L Grand Prix, it would start and then die. Left the rear vaccum for the brakes open and it wasn't responding to well.

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by bikes&bowties

I have tried everything. Its a 454 out of another truck that was running great, I resealed it and touched nothing internal. Everything was tight and in shape, its all stock, except for an edelbrock off of another big block. I have tried the wore out quadrajet that was on it and it acted the same as well as two stock distributors, I had spark with both of them. All vaccum ports are blocked off or routed to there spot, just a vaccum advance, pcv, and brake booster. It has fuel to the carb (hit the throttle and the accelerator pump sprays fuel, timing anywhere from 0-12 degrees advanced at (changed it while ****ing with it. I can get it to run a bit if I pour fuel down the carb but it eventually dies. lots of raw fuel... Thats all I have I think, I just dont get why it wont run...

Maybe the new carb gasket didn't seal properly and it's creating a vacuum leak?
Posted via Mobile Device

[bikes&bowties]

No it lost compression after way to many wore out miles... I'll grab another carb gasket lol. I've triple checked for vacuum leaks but that seams to be the only answer
Posted via Mobile Device

[bikes&bowties]

No vacuum leaks anywhere. Good spark and timed right. Figured maybe its 180 off (spark on exhaust stroke) put it back together and now it's got flames out the carb. So I'll be pulling the valve cover off tomorrow and making sure its right (should have done that before switching it around Nd second guessing myself). Anyone have some food for thought for me?

I didn't want to think about a cummins yet$ but right now it's sounding good considering I work on diesels 40 hours a week:/
Posted via Mobile Device

[bikes&bowties]

Any more ideas on possible problems or experience with this?

[tinydb84]

If you can get it to run for a few seconds I would loosen the distributor and have someone turn it backward or forward while it is running.

The timing mark on harmonic dampers can shift over time.

Then I would try someone else's carb on it

P.S. I have had similar responses from an engine when I put the spark plug wires on one off (i.e. I cylinder retarded).

[Duster]

Sounds like a fuel delivery problem. If you can get it to run by pouring gas down the carb. I know it is getting some gas, but is it getting enough? When it runs, does it run like sh*t?

If you are blowing flames out of the carb you have it advanced too far. I didn't really understand that part of your post. I'm sure you know that..

Check your plug wire fireing order maybe. Make sure you didnt crack a plug on the swap.

I can't figure out why it will run when you pour gas down it, and not from the carb.

[Duster]

It will turn out to be something simple. Check your plugs.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Where did you get the engine and truck? Guy by Monroe by chance?
Posted via Mobile Device

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Where did you get the engine and truck? Guy by Monroe by chance?
Posted via Mobile Device

[pwradder]

i had this same type of problem once, turned out that the fuel filter was plugged. there was enough fuel for the accelerator pump to work, but it wouldnt fill the bowl enough to stay running. might be worth checking on, good luck with it.

[bikes&bowties]

Originally Posted by Duster

It will turn out to be something simple. Check your plugs.

Brand new plugs

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

Where did you get the engine and truck? Guy by Monroe by chance?
Posted via Mobile Device

Engine came out of my crewcab, which will get a cummins in the future. Truck came out of Oregon 4 years ago. Then I sold it to a guy in tri cities and then bought it again from a guy in ellensburg a year ago, here to stay. She was a whore for awhile.

Originally Posted by pwradder

i had this same type of problem once, turned out that the fuel filter was plugged. there was enough fuel for the accelerator pump to work, but it wouldnt fill the bowl enough to stay running. might be worth checking on, good luck with it.

Looks like ill try it without the filter. And check fuel pressure with a gauge.
Posted via Mobile Device

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Whew. Glad it wasn't the bbc I was trying to work on for a guy. Couldn't get it to run no matter what! He sold it. Only thing I could think of was his pistons had holes or something lol
Posted via Mobile Device

[Wrecked1982]

its not getting enough fuel i had the same problem right this afternoon float was stuck, unstuck it, same problem. find out later the dual fuel tank switch valve wasnt working ,by passed it (only run 1 tank now anyways) and voila worked good. lost 2 hours tough wasnt planning on doing this but anyways

[bikes&bowties]

I guess I'm going to borrow a carb and try it. I'm out of ideas. I really feel like everything is perfect. It's timed right and I have good fuel pressure to the carb.
Posted via Mobile Device

[motornut]

try from a gas can ,rule out the whole line as an issue

[rs74]

Originally Posted by motornut

try from a gas can ,rule out the whole line as an issue

I was going to post the same thing. Also how is it running when you pour gas down the carb. Does it seem like it is running decent. I have used those clear ketchup bottles that has the tapered spout. Makes pouring a little easier to control. You can keep it running that way quite a bit longer to try and troubleshoot. Beats just pouring big gulps of gas at it.

[motornut]

Originally Posted by rs74

I was going to post the same thing. Also how is it running when you pour gas down the carb. Does it seem like it is running decent. I have used those clear ketchup bottles that has the tapered spout. Makes pouring a little easier to control. You can keep it running that way quite a bit longer to try and troubleshoot. Beats just pouring big gulps of gas at it.

A clean plastic drink bottle with a hole in the cap works good too
Posted via Mobile Device

[bikes&bowties]

It runs, not great but it runs.. Next up is a compression test. It's definitely not burning good when it does run, lots of smoke, it smells like fuel.


So good fuel pressure
Good spark
Correct timing
Carb *seems* good.
Posted via Mobile Device

[bikes&bowties]

So I did a dry compression test and came up with numbers between 120psi and 140psi. Seems really low. But could be because the cylinder walls have been washed with fuel and its been sitting for a week. Didn't test all cylinders cause it was dark and COLD...
Posted via Mobile Device