did you try pouring some gas down the carb?

 

Ok, so here is what was going on. My best friend's cousin (the mechanic) came by and told us we were 180 degrees out on the distributor. Yesterday we double checked and it was right the first time.

I replaced the rotor, we started getting fire from the coil. First time around I tried to gap it with a spark plug gapper, but they are too wide. YOU MUST HAVE A FEELER GAUGE to get it right! The space is 2 hundredths larger than the width of a human hair. It has to be that precise for the coil to give off ample spark.

Once we did that it fired right up. Go figure.

Now it's just a timing problem, or a sensor or valve. Gotta track it down!

THANK YOU ALL FOR SUCH GREAT HELP. I was about to give up completely and take a big hit on selling it. You guys kept me motivated!



Now if I can only get the alternator to charge right.....

 

BAM! got the alternator hooked up, there was a line disco'ed, and now it charges perfect. Pulled the EGR and started it for a second to blow all of the **** out of it. There is 0 drag in the starter, now when I give it gas in park it will start to backfire. The choke vaccuum was not hooked up, it had a nail plugged into the hose. Fixed that. Adjusted the choke to keep it a little more open by bending the linkage. Idles at low RPM perfect, but once I rev it up it pops. There is black smoke that will come out of the exhaust when the engine is cold.

 

sounds like you have a timing problem or your distributor is off by 180

 

It ain't off 180 or it would not start and idle good.

 

yeah, it would not start when it was the other way around. I hit the muffler earlier and it sounds like it's full of something. The cat sounds hollow, no rattle. With the air cleaner on it bogs, backfires, and runs like ***. I crimped the linkage on the choke vaccuum a little with it off to get it to run as it is, but I guess it needs a little more coaxing. Also took the EGR off and double checked it. It's black already, but not clogged. Started the truck with it off and blew the crap out of the manifold. That made it run alot better. I know the choke is an issue, but to what point? I need to read and re read every article I can find on my carb to see where, if any settings are wrong. PITA but so much fun.

 

shnap, I think it's got a dang misfire. It's funny because I am basically where I started off with this truck. I know it's something stupid because I replaced so much stuff in such a short period of time that I am probably just overlooking something. I will root around tomorrow and report back. Hopefully someone else finds this thread useful like I have. Maybe tomorrow we can get some video of it so you can hear it. Oh and the timing is set to 8 degrees at idle. Maybe the reluctor gap still???? Possibly the accelerator pump?

 

Where is the coolant sensor located?

 

Front of intake manifold near thermostat best I remember.

 

Well it's going to the shop tomorrow. After a 400 carb replacement, and the same thing, I am done. I must have put 2 grand into equipment, supplies, and tools. I work on computers but apparently a carburated truck is just a mind melter.