My truck wont run!? help please?

Question

first of all its a 1977 gmc jimmy high sierra, with a 350 in it.

alright, the only things ive done was change the distributor, the rotor and the spark plugs, and now it wont even start! i have no idea what to do. maybe somethings not making contact? i want to get it started today.

thanks for looking!

http://s286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/Vrmasson/?action=view&current=TRUCK034.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/Vrmasson/TRUCK022.jpg

Answer 1

well i cant tell much from those photos but have you made sure the timing is right by making the #1 piston TDC and the rotor facing the #1 plug wire...thats what i had to do with my 1978

Answer 2

You probably missed getting the distributor back into the right tooth on the cam gear.

Locate cylinder #1 and make sure it's at top dead center,  find the #1 plug wire on the cap and make sure the rotor is pointed to that one on the cap.    It would help if you knew that #1 as in the firing position i.e. both valves closed.     The timing mark on the harmonic balancer should be close to the regular timing marks when you have it on the #1 cylinder in the firing position.   Get the rotor as close to pointing to the #1 spark plug wire on the cap.

Then re time the car when you get it started.  You may have to move the distributor some in order to get it started.

Been there done that.

Good luck

RoyG

KC

Answer 3

I can't tell from those pics but you might want to make sure the wires are in the right order and you didn't crack any plugs.

Answer 4

spin it over , with a plug wire removed and an old plug in the wire and the plug grounded to the engine somewhere. if no spark, check all your connections. if you havespark, then it is probably a timing issue:i.e. are the plug wires on the right plugs , the firing order for that engine is 18436572, in aclockwise direction.

Answer 5

a common problem when changing a distributor in an older chevy motor is  the distributor being 180 degrees.

Answer 6

I see you have an HEI distributor with the ignition coil out. Remove the small brass spring in the center of the cap that's connected to the graphite nob that rides on the center of the rotor. Replace that part. Now on to the cap and rotor. GM in those days had trouble with the rotors carbon tracking underneath the center tang. Look carefully underneath at your rotor. If you see any discoloration heave it also. I would suggest a a genuine MSD rotor and cap if you can find one. When replacing the orange silicone rubber biscuit be sure to coat it with silicone ignition grease.

If it refuses to fire right up check the plug wires for proper placement. Last but not least the ignition module down inside the distributor housing may need replacement.

I had a 76 305 Chevy Nova with the same ignition as yours. On day it quit like it had been shot dead. It had a bad module. If your needs replacement. Coat the bottom with silicone ignition grease before s******g it back down. It helps to provide a heat sink drawing heat away from the module.

Let me know how you make out. I think Advance Auto has MSD parts. If not genuine GM AND Standard caps and rotors are good. Get a Red colored cap and rotor. Caps that are colored black have graphite in them and that causes carbon tracking.