Author Topic: 75 k10 Not sure if bad distributor or more?  (Read 5624 times)

Offline Hillbillydrums

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75 k10 Not sure if bad distributor or more?
« on: September 04, 2014, 06:23:38 pm »
Long story short:
Getting my truck going. Got it for sure tdc. It wont fire right. only some cylinders fire, then more, then less. Timing light on #1 doesn't flash like a strobe like it should. Off and on, then not at all, etc. Tried an old set of wires, same thing. Got a for sure good cap/coil, save thing.
Is it insufficient power to the dist. or what? Battery is good too.

Thanks
1972 C10 (Passed down since great granddad bought it new in '72)
1973 K5
1975 K10

Offline bake74

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Re: 75 k10 Not sure if bad distributor or more?
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2014, 08:49:08 pm »
      At this point since you said everything else works.  I would pull the dist. and inspect.  If you have another one try it out.
      Have you checked the power to the dist. to see if it is constant and a good supply ?
      What type of dist. do you have ?
#1: The easiest and most obvious solution to any problem is 99% of the time correct.
#2: There is no such thing as impossible, it just takes longer.
  74 k10, 77k10    Tom

Offline Hillbillydrums

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Re: 75 k10 Not sure if bad distributor or more?
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2014, 09:15:16 pm »
      At this point since you said everything else.  I would pull the dist. and inspect.  If you have another one try it out.
      Have you checked the power to the dist. to see if it is constant and a good supply ?
      What type of dist. do you have ?
Have tried others. 2 gm ones that look good and one that has what looks like an acces rotor and cap. power seems to be there. Where is that wire coming from? Maybe just run a new wire just to do it
1972 C10 (Passed down since great granddad bought it new in '72)
1973 K5
1975 K10

Offline bake74

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Re: 75 k10 Not sure if bad distributor or more?
« Reply #3 on: September 04, 2014, 09:39:28 pm »
     Look in the tech section on this website.  The service manuals and wiring diagrams are all there, along with troubleshooting guides in the manuals.
#1: The easiest and most obvious solution to any problem is 99% of the time correct.
#2: There is no such thing as impossible, it just takes longer.
  74 k10, 77k10    Tom

Offline Don5

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Re: 75 k10 Not sure if bad distributor or more?
« Reply #4 on: September 04, 2014, 10:10:20 pm »
 Have you replaced the module in the distributor? It is located inside under the rotor button. I always check this first and even carry a spare in the glove box just in case. I have had two of these go out in my truck while driving. The motor shuts off and you coast. Not fun. I would check the wires that hook to the module as well. :) I hope this helps.
It's been a LONG time since I have been called a newbie. Just sayin....

1979 GMC K15 355, SM 465, 205, 3.73 Dana 44 with a Spartan Locker, 12 bolt Eaton limited slip and 6 inch lift with 36 x 12.50 Super Swamper TSL's.

Offline Hillbillydrums

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Re: 75 k10 Not sure if bad distributor or more?
« Reply #5 on: September 04, 2014, 10:14:12 pm »
Have you replaced the module in the distributor? It is located inside under the rotor button. I always check this first and even carry a spare in the glove box just in case. I have had two of these go out in my truck while driving. The motor shuts off and you coast. Not fun. I would check the wires that hook to the module as well. :) I hope this helps.

I have not, but I have tried 2 other whole assemblies and then also just interchanged parts to maybe get a good one. But.still the same outcome.
1972 C10 (Passed down since great granddad bought it new in '72)
1973 K5
1975 K10

Offline Don5

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Re: 75 k10 Not sure if bad distributor or more?
« Reply #6 on: September 04, 2014, 10:26:41 pm »
When you had the number 1 cyl at TDC, did you pull the rotor cap and look at the button to see if it is aligned to the number one cyl? It sounds like it is out of time or jumped time maybe. If you did this, and everything is ok, then I would really take a long, hard, CLOSE, look at the wires. This includes the plug wires as well as all other wires. Make sure the plug wires are in correct firing order and check all wires at their connectors.

I was thinking maybe the module might have wire that is barely connected or worn. That is why I suggested the module first.
It's been a LONG time since I have been called a newbie. Just sayin....

1979 GMC K15 355, SM 465, 205, 3.73 Dana 44 with a Spartan Locker, 12 bolt Eaton limited slip and 6 inch lift with 36 x 12.50 Super Swamper TSL's.

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: 75 k10 Not sure if bad distributor or more?
« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2014, 02:34:32 am »
how/when did it stop running?
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline Hillbillydrums

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Re: 75 k10 Not sure if bad distributor or more?
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2014, 09:51:22 am »
how/when did it stop running?
The beast was non op for 15 years. I bought it from a couple to revive it.  Ended up buying this hardly used motor with a rust bucket around it. Dropped the motor in 75. Ran. Went to hot August nights, came back, wouldn't fire. Replaced dist. (Maybe did it wrong), still no run. That problem ended up being the old mufflers were plugged with rat turds and nesting and stuff.  Im straight header at the moment. Once I unplugged it I noticed timing stuff was wrong. So here I am.
1972 C10 (Passed down since great granddad bought it new in '72)
1973 K5
1975 K10

Offline thefarmboy21

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Re: 75 k10 Not sure if bad distributor or more?
« Reply #9 on: September 05, 2014, 12:34:45 pm »
My guess is you didn't put it in time the correct way. BUT let's say you did, just run a hot wire straight from battery to the distributor (ideally with a switch to kill the motor) and see if that solves the issue. If not, then it's something else.
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Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: 75 k10 Not sure if bad distributor or more?
« Reply #10 on: September 05, 2014, 11:00:24 pm »
how fast is the motor turning over? does it slow down on compression strokes?
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes