OK, so I bought a 1990 Chevy Silverado with a 5.7L (350) TBI off Craigslist. I knew I'd have to do a lot to get it into shape, but now its kicking my behind. It was running a little rough and had very little power, so I changed the distributor cap and rotor. All good, but no real improvement.
So the next weekend I thought I'd change the spark plugs and wires. I gapped all plugs at .035 (as per specs), and replaced the plugs/wires one at a time so there was no chance of crossed wire confusion. Finished the job up and started the engine. It started normally and ran fine for about 1-2 minutes, then sputtered and died (almost like it ran out of gas). - I think I was reattaching the air cleaner at the time. Now it turns over, but that's it. It just won't start.
I did find a bad ground wire from the frame to body. I replaced the ground and cleaned all connections on ground and battery terminal wires. I also put a new starter and ignition switch in (with the broken ground wire, starter wouldn't fully turn over.)
I've checked the obvious.
- I have power to the coil
- I have spark (only checked at #1 plug wire, because I am working alone).
- I have good fuel flow through the injectors
- I have checked all fuses (that I know of - box under dash and on passenger side firewall under hood).
- I have set the engine to top dead center (by crankshaft mark) and verified that rotor is pointing to plug wire #1.
I know I have to be missing something fairly easy. Someone please throw me a bone. I'm trying to get this thing running before my wife has it towed to the shop and I have to admit I made a bad purchase. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
TJ