Not sure which cylinder is not firing?!?!?

[Hottrucks]

if its an HEI the module could be going bad??

[charx2]

Ok, I borrowed a timing light from my neighbor. Now I'm charging my batt cause it died last night. I'm going to check the timing and I will report back when I find out what it is. Thanks again all, u guys rock!

[charx2]

I threw the timing light on it and it, well, it would not time! My spark to the #1 and a couple others are sporatic, what's that mean? It's nice and blue but it is not constant and sometimes won't even light up. I popped the dist top and nothing looks burnt that I can see, there was some white stuff in there though. I'm guessing it's my distributor now?

[charx2]

Should I pull my whole distributor out? It looks pretty old i think, delco remy.

[chevychompers]

do you have a good gas cap? might have some water in the fuel from sitting. I would also check the fuel filter.

[charx2]

It is a HEI btw. What is the module?

[charx2]

The filter is brand new almost. The gas cap is pretty secure when it's on.

[60ratrod]

ok, quick question. did you pull the vacuum advance line and plug it when you checked your timing?

[charx2]

No I did not, will that make the spark not consistent like on the light?

[charx2]

bumpidy bump

[60ratrod]

yes. when you check/set your initial timing you need to disconnect the vacuum advance. my guess is the sporadic firing is more than likely caused by being too far retarded. so disconnect the advance line and plug it then try setting the timing to about 8-10 degrees advanced

[charx2]

Ok, cool. I will try that tomorrow. Thanks a lot man, I will report my findings tomorrow. Thank god I did not get to far into it, I thought it would be a good idea to stop and research it a bit, I read you have to take vacuum off after the fact, but I did not think that would cause sporadic firing. Anyways, thanks again.

[cableguy0]

get a squirt bottle full of water. spray down all the igniton components after dark tomorrow. I bet you find a wire or two leaking. I'm also suspect of the plugs. Generally when a plug fouls out just cleaning them does nothing.

[charx2]

Ok cableguy I will also try that. Quick question. I was thinking about this last night, when I tried to time on #1 it was sporadic, I randomly picked 2 other wires and tried same thing, then I went to #2 or #4 and it was lighting correctly, does this still mean it's my timing?

[cableguy0]

Firing sporadically has nothing to do with your timing but timing could still be wrong. Its just something that should be checked. Try the spray bottle and see what you find.

[charx2]

I will, just sucks it has to be dark.

[ERASER5]

Originally Posted by charx2

I will, just sucks it has to be dark.

You're not afraid of the dark are you?

[charx2]

Terrified, last time I was out in the dark a hooded guy with a steelers t-shirt came out and slug his wang at me, then he ran and bunch of guys were chasing him. They caught him and were beating him up so I joined in with a football punt to the skull. He got up and said he was going to build a pyramid and starting scratching at the dirt. Then the dirt became mud and it started to lift toward the sky. Next thing I know I'm on the enterprise star ship. Capn Kirk is out saving hoes!

[chris mc bride]

W/o timing light you ca use the old move cpl degrees and try it on the road. Also if you adjust it up cpl degrees and its hard to turn over and then fires you've gone to far back up few degrees. I would buy a timing light they are cheap and great dianostic tool. You cab go from wire to wire and find if ones not firinig,dbl check timing and its good reason to buy a new tool.

[chris mc bride]

Oh one note make sure timing marker on tc cover is matched with harmonic. Ive seen them mismatched and cause problems

[charx2]

Ok, I timed the motor again and replaced 1 spark plug. Now it's stumbling and a little bit better but still not normal. It just got dark so I went out and sprayed some windex on all the wires and there are sparks coming from some of the wires. Tomorrow I will replace them and see what it does, I'm thinking that that will cure my little problem here then I can resume my other fixings on this damn truck! I've had so many issues I have not been able to update my build thread in a while....

[cableguy0]

Buy wires that dont say accell on the box. I reccomend taylor wires for a good solid aftermarket wire.

[charx2]

Yeah, I'm about sick of accesll, Thank cableguy, you've been a huge help man. Do the local auto parts stores sell taylor?