[shark420]

hey guys i have a 1986 S-10 with a small block 350 and a turbo 350 trans. it also has headman headers. but my problem is that i changed the distrubtor cap spark plugs and wires. but when i took the old spark plugs out they were gapped to 38 thousands but i thought they were supposed to be at 35 thousands so i left them at 35 so now when i try and start the truck it turns, turns, then has a really slow turn then it goes back to turn turn and over and over. can you guys help me thanks.

[Rubberman2003]

Im gonna move this in the engine forum, that way you will get more replies.

[HemmiGremmie]

Sounds more like a timming problem. try turning your distributor. Sounds like its retarded to much. Gapping the plugs a little different shouldnt make any difference in the engine turning over. HG

[catscan4free]

Yea, you got the spark plug wires mixed up. You need to check your firing order and make sure the rotor in the distributor is pointing to number 1 cylinder when number one cylinder is at top dead center on the power stroke. That really slow turn is when a plug fires when its not supposed to(I.E. wrong wire hooked to it). By the way, I have an 86 s-10 with a 2.8L engine, wanna trade?

[coldknock]

Did you change the plugs/wires one at a time?

If not then check the firing order.

[Checy_Guy]

most plugs for an hei are supposed to be gaped a 45. points are supposed to be 35.

[shark420]

all the spark plug wires are in the right spot and it is not back firing or nothing. when i had the old spark plugs in there and i checked them they were at .38 and the truck ran fine it is just when i changed the distrubtor cap and rotor and spark plug and wires. plus i did not turn the distrubtor it self so how can the timing be off.

[poncho62]

Are you sure that number 1 wire is where number 1 was on the old cap. If it is 1 spot off, that will change your timing. Maybe the distributer wasn't as tight as you thought and it turned without you realising it. It sounds like it is too far advanced.

HEI plg gap......045

Firing order...18436572

[tm454]

Dude, if you put it back the way you found it the truck would be running! CK the distributor and see if its loose, its sounds like the timing is off. Double check the plug wires at the cap and at the plugs. Set the plug gap by the blook. Look at the block numbers to tell you which year engine you have and set it up by that and which distributor you ae runing. HEI requires a different plug gap than duel point or single point distributor does.


Tazz


RAt Rods Rule!

[OddRodder]

Originally posted by shark420
. but my problem is that i changed the distrubtor cap spark plugs and wires.

How did you install the center electrode in the cap before reinstalling the coil? Have you reconnected the wiring to the cap terminals?

(this only applies if you ARE using an H.E.I. ---duh, me!)

[shark420]

ok if the timing is to far advanced which way should i turn the distributor. also would it still run if the spark plugs gaps are way off like they are set at .35 and people are saying they are supposed to be at .45 can ya let me know thanks.

[lelandl]

Originally posted by shark420
all the spark plug wires are in the right spot and it is not back firing or nothing. when i had the old spark plugs in there and i checked them they were at .38 and the truck ran fine it is just when i changed the distrubtor cap and rotor and spark plug and wires. plus i did not turn the distrubtor it self so how can the timing be off.

Parts are manufactured to tolerances, not exact, so the wire posts can be off one direction or another as compared to your old cap. The locating tab can also be off one direction or the other. Both can be off at the same time amplifying the problem. This is why you should always check timing after changing parts. If it is doing what you say, then the timing is off, either through wrong firing order, improper distributer timing or a jumped timing chain.

As was stated in other posts, start from scratch, locating TDC #1 on compression stroke and check that the distributor is pointing at #1 post. If it is then double check your firing order, if that is OK then try moving the distributor to see if things improve.

How many miles on the engine? Does it have a nylon cam sprocket? Maybe the chain jumped. (has been known to happen)

[poncho62]

Originally posted by shark420
ok if the timing is to far advanced which way should i turn the distributor. also would it still run if the spark plugs gaps are way off like they are set at .35 and people are saying they are supposed to be at .45 can ya let me know thanks.

To retard the timing, turn the distribter clockwise...