engine does not run!!!!!! help

[marandall]

I have a 79 chevy k-20 with a 5.7l 350 in it. I replaced the carb with a reman 2 barrel quadrajet and a new fuel pump. the only I can get the engine to start to run before it dies out is by soaking some of the spark plugs in gasoline. I haven't replaced the spark plugs yet but that is on the list aslong as the plugs wires.....any suggestions would be helpfully kinda stumped right now on to why it want stay running....

[bd]

Quadrajet is a 4 barrel.  The 2-barrel is a Dualjet.  Are you sure there's fuel in the tank(s)?  Did the no-start exist before or begin after you replaced the carb & f/pump?  Are you getting any fuel to the carburetor?  Have you changed the fuel filter?  Check all the rubber fuel hoses for cracks/splits.  Check fuel pump suction, pressure, delivery.

[marandall]

everything checked out ok. Fuel was getting to the carb and I had spark at the all the plugs, all fuel line were good. this was the first time that this engine has ran in 5 years. I bought it off of a friend when I started to restore my k-20. Had the engine idling but you can hear a miss in it. I have a feeling that by turning the distributor it would prob lead my in the right direction in getting the engine timed correctly. any suggestions on how to go about the misfire issues. oh and when it was running there was no smoke coming  from the exhaust just incase you wanted to know. And another thing if I was able to post a pic over the engine could you help me  identify the correct vacuum ports that need to be used? 

[bd]

Since the engine will idle, remove the vacuum hose from the distributor vacuum advance, plug the hose, and set the timing with a light.  Then you can adjust the carburetor idle mixture and speed.  To address the misfire, run a compression check to verify cylinder condition, then go ahead and replace the spark plugs and plug wires as you previously planned.  While you're there replace the cap and rotor as well, or install a brand new distributor; they're inexpensive enough nowadays.  Are you saying the engine still dies when revved above idle?

By all means post a pic, but vacuum hose routing should be illustrated on the emissions sticker that's pasted to the radiator support.

[diphthong]

If you soaked your plug in gas you Ruined them... Replace you plugs

[diphthong]

First replace with new spark plugs.  If there no mechanical problems with this engine? starting it will be a walk in the park.


What color was the smoke? (Important)

Was the engine missing both on and off idle? What I mean by this is, do you feel the engine miss at both 800 and 2500 RPM's? If it's both these's probably a mechanical issue with this engine.  Most manifold vacuum leaks drastically lose their effect on the engine at high RPM's


This is a good test to find mechanic problems.   If your buying a truck the vintage this web site targets you'll definitely want to apply this test.  Also smell the radiator over flow take, if you smell Hydrocarbons walk!

[Irish_Alley]

does fuel spray from the carb when you give it gas?