a chevy '89 suburban with a 350 5.7 wont start timing or distributor spark?

Question

okay when i got this truck a week ago it was running kind of weird it wouldnt idle right and would not have the power you should get out of a 350 5.7liter

so i put new spark plugs in new wires new distributor button and a new distributor cap

i just took one wire off the old on as i was putting it on the same way on the new one so i didnt check the firing order!

now its still wasn't running right so i took every wire off and got the correct firing order and put them on just like that.

now when i try to start the engine it turns over but makes popping sounds out of the exhaust and does not start i double checked eveything three times i wont start, so i got back on the internet and looked at timing missalignment or something

help would be appreciated how to make it start with the correct firing order
thanks

oh heres th firing order im using

http://autorepair.about.com/library/firing_orders/bl-fo-10364.htm

Answer 1

On Chevrolets often the distributor has been put in backwards. Or 180 degrees out. Romove the cap. Leave the wires on, just move it out of the way. Loosen the 9/16 hold dow bolt at the base of the dist (Hold down bolt) Remove the bolt and hold down tag or clamp. Next pull straight up on the distrubor, Hold it right there. Turn "ROTOR" 180 degrees and put the distrubor back in. When it is aligin with the oil pump drive down in side it wiil drop alll the way down. Just turn it forward or backward dropping it in untill it fits all the way down. Reinstall cap, check plug wires are down tigh. Install hold down and bolt, Give it a try. When she fires move the dist untill it runs smother. Temp lock it down intill you can get a timing light on it. It is not that hard to do. I think the previous owner put it in wrong. Email me at [e-mail] if you need more help.

Answer 2

If you were careful about one at a timing the spark plug wires and if you got two wires crossed it would probably still start. But you said "NO" spark and the popping sounds means that it is way out of time. There is a retaining bolt/screw that holds the distributor at degree, that might have vibrated loose and the distributor might have rotated when you were replacing the wires. My guess, though, would be "sheered distributor drive gear pin. The shaft of the distributor has a gear that is held in place by a sheer pin. It's an easy enough fix once you pull it out and have a look at the shaft gear. Good Luck

Answer 3

It sounds like after you changed the wires on your distributor cap that you are 180 degrees or so out of time. Make sure that the rotor cap is actually pointing to the correct contact, for the #1 cylinder, and start from there. it's pretty easy to put the distributor in the engine with the rotor pointing the wrong direction, but since you can put any wire in any place on the cap, you can compensate for it. I know on two of the cars I've worked on we've managed to get the timing out 180 degrees, and it does exactly what you're talking about.

Answer 4

It could be a catalytic converter problem as well. Consider the info. you receive from this question but the last one I had, had almost exact symtoms as yours. The material inside deteriorates over time & can plug or restrict the exhaust flow causing poor engine performance. If the firing order is correct & the timing is close it should fire up fairly easily. If you can get it to run half decently have someone rev the engine while you check the amount of flow at the tailpipe. Can't say for sure if that's the problem but it is certainly a possiblity. The one I worked on drove me nuts until finally as a last resort I changed the exhaust.

Answer 5

I'd didn't check your link but the correct firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 and number one is on the drivers side front. If not this could be bad timing chain or worn camshaft but it sounds like you have a wire crossed

Answer 6

correct firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 one fast way to time ur car with out a llight is turn the key on so the lights and such are on in the dash, take the coil wire off distribe. and hold it to a ground portion of the engine or car turn the distribe. until you see a spark come from the coil wire that is on the grounded section then you should be in time.

Answer 7

Reinstall the distributor. The distributor may have been indexed wrong and the plug wires moved to compensate. So, when you put the plug wires in the correct order they are wrong for the current distributor placement.

Answer 8

Sounds like it is still out of time. Bring up the timing mark on the crank. Check to see that the # 1 cylinder is at top dead center (both valves will be closed) or pull the plug and stick a long soft wire into the cylinder to see if it is at the top.You will be at time or 180 degrees out. Pull distributor cap to see that the rotor is pointing to the # 1 position. The reason why I say its out of time is that the intake valve has to be open on the compression stroke to blow out the carb. I would go to a car parts store and get a manual on the truck before going to a mechanic.