vortec 5.7 really doggy, sucking down fuel, please help!!

[daryng]

My 1998 c2500 5.7L Vortec has very little power expecially under load. almost to a point where 5 gear is useless. checked codes and get camshaft, crankshaft correlation code. checked timing, its all dead on (took of timing chain cover and made sure all good there), new distributer is timed perfect, has new plugs and wires. pulling my hair out trying to figure out whats wrong here. please help

purchased the truck used about a year ago. has always been pretty doggy, after all the upgrades and attempts to solve this issue it seems like nothing has changed

[777stickman]

Originally Posted by daryng

My 1998 c2500 5.7L Vortec has very little power expecially under load. almost to a point where 5 gear is useless. checked codes and get camshaft, crankshaft correlation code. checked timing, its all dead on (took of timing chain cover and made sure all good there), new distributer is timed perfect, has new plugs and wires. pulling my hair out trying to figure out whats wrong here. please help

purchased the truck used about a year ago. has always been pretty doggy, after all the upgrades and attempts to solve this issue it seems like nothing has changed

How did you check the timing?

[daryng]

i had checked the timing when i installed the new distributor. i lined up the mark on the harmonic balancer indicating i was at TDC, then made sure my distributor was pointed at the #1 cylinder. its about as close to perfect as it can be.

[777stickman]

Originally Posted by daryng

i had checked the timing when i installed the new distributor. i lined up the mark on the harmonic balancer indicating i was at TDC, then made sure my distributor was pointed at the #1 cylinder. its about as close to perfect as it can be.

Actually it's not. This is why your getting the P1345 code. The timing needs to be set using a high end scan tool that can access "cam retard or cam offset". This is "base timing" for the VCM. Timing in this mode needs to be 0 +/- 2 degs at 1200 rpm's

Hope this helps.

[daryng]

i didn't think you could adjust vortec style distributors. i thought you had to line it up by the splines and the computer adjusts it from ther - or + 2*

[777stickman]

There is a very set procedure for installing a vortec dist. You cannot do this the "old school" way. Do a search on the P1345 code. Once the "cam retard" is set to 0 degs, then the VCM controls timing. As it stands now you're most likely at least one tooth off on the dist.

[daryng]

thanks for your help. i was hoping that i could get the timing issue solved on my own at home. I live in the "sticks" and it takes me over an hour to get to the nearest shop that would have a scan tool. not to mention the gallons and gallons of gas it would take to get me there.