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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: rusty but trusty on April 11, 2012, 02:38:09 pm

Title: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: rusty but trusty on April 11, 2012, 02:38:09 pm
OK my truck is a 1987 GM v1500 that had a tbi 350 but the guy i bought it from said he put in a 305 and to the best of my knowledge it is a 305. but the problem is it starts awful i have to give it 1/2 throttle and it backfires allot and pops and bangs to life the after 5-7 mins it settles down and runs semi smoothly but rocks back and forth a good bit
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: zieg85 on April 11, 2012, 02:57:11 pm
Do you have a check engine light on?
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: rusty but trusty on April 11, 2012, 03:01:52 pm
no i did but that was a sensor that wasnt hooked up so it hasnt come back
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: zieg85 on April 11, 2012, 03:10:15 pm
Weak fuel pump/low fuel pressure will cause that. 
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: bd on April 11, 2012, 03:14:29 pm
Check the fuel pressure, EGR operation and engine compression; replace the fuel filter and give it a tune-up.
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: rusty but trusty on April 11, 2012, 03:35:24 pm
ok i will start to work down that path
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: thirsty on April 11, 2012, 05:02:05 pm
I would check the timing on it.
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: 454Man on April 11, 2012, 05:38:07 pm
If I remember correctly isn't the timing controlled by the computer on a tbi? I remember something about unplugging a brown wire to check timing on a friends truck.

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Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: rusty but trusty on April 11, 2012, 06:24:33 pm
the compression is either 175 or 180 alternating cyclinders
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: Da67goatman on April 11, 2012, 10:40:39 pm
The timing is electronically advanced or retarded, but you still have to time it to 0* before any of that takes effect.
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: 454Man on April 11, 2012, 10:42:51 pm
Ok so on a tbi do you have to disconnect the brown/ tan wire
and then set the timing?

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Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: bd on April 12, 2012, 12:01:35 am
Ok so on a tbi do you have to disconnect the brown/ tan wire
and then set the timing?

Checking/setting base timing on TBI fueled 305s/350s involves running the engine to operating temperature, then unplugging the timing connector (single brown wire with black stripe) that breaks out of the engine harness near the bulkhead plug below the brake booster, forcing the Electronic Spark Timing (EST) into bypass mode.  Unplugging the timing connector will illuminate the Check Engine light and set code 42.  Cycling the key after reconnecting the timing connector will return timing control to the EST system and extinguish the Check Engine light.
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: bake74 on April 12, 2012, 06:32:30 am
Check the fuel pressure, EGR operation and engine compression; replace the fuel filter and give it a tune-up.

     You said you checked the engine compression, but these other items need to be done and more than likely will solve your problem.
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: rusty but trusty on April 18, 2012, 05:00:58 pm
Ok it rained today and i went to check the timing and i disconnected the electronic spark control wire and i fired up and ran perfect what gives, it has never ran like this ever before.
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: bd on April 18, 2012, 05:52:56 pm
Did the Check Engine light come on when you disconnected the EST?
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: VileZambonie on April 18, 2012, 08:18:16 pm
tune it up and set the timing.
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: rusty but trusty on April 19, 2012, 05:40:37 pm
yes the service engine soon light comes on and how would i go about doing a tune up? yes this is a dumb question but i really don't know much. and thanks too all of you
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: VileZambonie on April 21, 2012, 11:50:34 am
Replace the spark plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter, air filter PCV valve, set the timing, disconnect the negative battery cable for a minute to reset the adaptives.
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: rusty but trusty on April 23, 2012, 07:07:45 pm
ok iv done oil change new cap and rotor and new wires new plugs new fuel and air filters but i cant find my pcv valve all of my breather lines on my valvecovers go to my intake manifold
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: bd on April 23, 2012, 07:31:52 pm
The PCV valve should be at the end of a 3/8" vacuum line plugged into the top of a valve cover.  Since your engine has been replaced, it could be either side.
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: bake74 on April 24, 2012, 07:36:07 pm
The PCV valve should be at the end of a 3/8" vacuum line plugged into the top of a valve cover.  Since your engine has been replaced, it could be either side.

     You might only see the top black part of the PCV valve, the silver part might be pushed into the rubber grommet.
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: rusty but trusty on April 25, 2012, 03:23:42 pm
bake74 thank you so much i have looked and looked and then i read your post and i felt kinda dumb but enlightned
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: bake74 on April 26, 2012, 06:59:43 am
     So does that mean it is there, but just pushed in the grommet ?  If so you are welcome, that is what we are all here for, just to help without judgements. ;D
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: rusty but trusty on April 26, 2012, 03:30:47 pm
the pcv was pushed into the valve cover so bake74 saved the day.
does anybody have any idea why the engine would shake more than is reasonable at idle, the throttle response isn't great either
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: 454Man on April 26, 2012, 03:36:51 pm
Hook up a vacuum gauge and that will let us know what it reads. They are cheap to buy. I keep one hooked up inside my cab.
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: Donut on April 26, 2012, 04:54:36 pm
Misfiring or crossed plug wires?  Incorrect timing?  Spark plugs loose?  Distributor cap not locked down?
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: bake74 on April 27, 2012, 05:43:27 am
does anybody have any idea why the engine would shake more than is reasonable at idle, the throttle response isn't great either

Misfiring or crossed plug wires?  Incorrect timing?  Spark plugs loose?  Distributor cap not locked down?

     Also, check the motor mounts to see if they are shot.
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: rusty but trusty on April 28, 2012, 03:28:22 pm
OK i have 17 inches of vacuum and the plugs, plug wires and rotor and cap are brand new the cap is tight and the coil is a month old also # 1 is always wet but defiantly has spark
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: bake74 on April 29, 2012, 12:00:02 pm
      Not that is has any thing to do with the truck shaking, you said #1 spark plug is always wet.  With oil or just moister ?
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: rusty but trusty on April 29, 2012, 07:49:27 pm
wet with gas and #8 was also wet with gas  so i switched them but i think iv just lost my firing order completely
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: bake74 on April 29, 2012, 08:05:49 pm
     Lost your firing order ?  You messed up the wires going to the spark plugs ?
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: 454Man on April 29, 2012, 08:35:14 pm
Hope this helps. If not then I think a compression test is in order (http://img.tapatalk.com/d036569b-ebf1-f65b.jpg)

Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: jaredts on April 30, 2012, 10:40:20 pm
That's the wierdest firing diagram I've seen.  Like you're laying on the roof putting your plug wires on.
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: bake74 on May 01, 2012, 06:57:35 pm
That's the wierdest firing diagram I've seen.  Like you're laying on the roof putting your plug wires on.

     It would look better if it was rotated 180 degree's.
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: 454Man on May 01, 2012, 08:11:39 pm
True
Title: Re: why does my truck run the way it does?
Post by: rusty but trusty on May 01, 2012, 09:08:54 pm
i tried to swich 1 and 8 because both had spark but were always wet but mixed up some wires and things went downhill fast and then i think i fixed it but dont know because next day i double checked it and went to start it and nothing i hooked 2 more running cars to the battery and still nothing no power anywhere