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Will not start?

Tiny
ASHLEY MILLER
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 CHEVROLET S-10
  • 4.3L
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 327,994 MILES
Prior to purchasing the truck, I bought a 1993 Chevy s10. Ended up having a blown head gasket.
The 1989 sat in the guys yard for over a year when I bought it. He told me the distributor was bad. I took the distributor from the 93 and put it in the 1989. I got it to turn over and start but it was running rough, and I also found a leak in the radiator. Got a brand-new radiator and replaced it. Since then, I can get it to turn over but not start and it backfires. I checked all the plugs and wires. I've tried to crank it (clearly) but it backfires from the tailpipe and acts like it has no power when I try to crank it. I'm not sure if the timing is right either. It has two marks. I found TDC with piston #1, compression stroke, all that.
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Saturday, July 29th, 2023 AT 6:38 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi,

If it is backfiring after the distributor was replaced, then my first suspect is timing. When you have it at TDC, does the rotor point to where the number 1 spark plug attaches to the distributor?

Also, see the pics below for the timing mark on the crankshaft.

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.
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Saturday, July 29th, 2023 AT 10:45 PM
Tiny
ASHLEY MILLER
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  • 8 POSTS
Yes. So, on the inside of the distributor cap there is a #1 but it sits between 2 of the post. Does it go before or after the #1. Also, do I use the first mark on balancer or 2nd mark.
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Sunday, July 30th, 2023 AT 12:58 AM
Tiny
ASHLEY MILLER
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I lied. That's where the rotor is pointing when #1 piston is up at TDC.
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Sunday, July 30th, 2023 AT 4:04 PM
Tiny
ASHLEY MILLER
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
And that's the balancer. You can barely see the mark. Clearly not even close.
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Sunday, July 30th, 2023 AT 4:06 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi,

As far as the rotor, remember, the distributor turns for fine adjustment of the timing, so, get the mark at TDC on the crank (I do see it at the very top) and have the rotor pointing directly at where the number 1 spark plug wire is located.

Let me know if that helps. Also, in the pics you attached, if the rotor is pointing at number 1 and the crank is that far off, certainly timing is a problem.

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, July 30th, 2023 AT 8:49 PM
Tiny
ASHLEY MILLER
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
As you know the odd numbers are on the left of the engine and the even are on the right, as far as plugs and pistons are. The rotor is pointing straight ahead to nothing. The pictures are where everything is at when it's supposed to be TDC. Also, if you look at the rotor, I did mark in black where the point is supposed to be, to the right, behind the rotor, very small black spot.
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Sunday, July 30th, 2023 AT 10:06 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
If you align the mark on the pulley to TDC, does the rotor then point to the number 1 spark plug wire in the distributor cap?

Joe
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Monday, July 31st, 2023 AT 12:31 AM
Tiny
ASHLEY MILLER
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
No. So I took the distributor out and did the 180 degrees and it points to the #1 and the balancer mark is on 0. I haven't tried to turn it over yet.
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Monday, July 31st, 2023 AT 6:18 AM
Tiny
ASHLEY MILLER
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Tried to crank it and nothing. It turned over but didn't crank. I think it jumped time. Aren't the marks on crankshaft supposed to line up after every crank and the rotor point is supposed to be pointing at #1 plug, correct? Also, it's not getting a lot of power. Acts drained when I try to crank it.
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Monday, July 31st, 2023 AT 5:48 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi,

Is it possible for you to record it cranking and upload it for me to hear? I may be able to recognize a timing issue.

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, July 31st, 2023 AT 9:38 PM
Tiny
ASHLEY MILLER
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  • 8 POSTS
Absolutely. First thing in the morning.
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Tuesday, August 1st, 2023 AT 1:45 AM

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