'87 Suburban won't start after cap and rotor change

[ctb619]

Recently purchased a 1987 V2500 Suburban with a 350 TBI. It has been nothing but trouble so far, but I'm not quite ready to give up on her.

I finally had it running really well after swapping/fixing lots of parts (battery, water pump, radiator, hoses, belts, spark plugs, knock sensor, map sensor, coolant temperature sensor) and fixing a vacuum leak. My mechanic recommended I replace the spark plug wires and make sure they are routed away from the exhaust manifold because there was still a slight misfire. While I was at it, I decided I might as well replace the cap and rotor.

Well, now it won't start. I'm getting spark at the plugs, and I've checked the order on the distributor cap about 10 times to make sure the firing order is right. I tried going back to the old cap and rotor to see if the new parts were faulty, but with no success. I think it has something to do with the timing but I'm not exactly sure where to go from here. Any ideas?

v2500.jpeg

[warrpath4x4]

did you move the distributor?

how did you test for spark at the plugs?

did you try pulling the cap and setting the engine to top dead center and reset your wires?

[BIGdaddy]

We had an 88 suburban, and an 89 blazer, both with 350 tbi's, and I know some people love these vehicles, but they were both 2 of the most craptastic vehicles I've owned.

From dead power windows, dead fuel pumps, crapped out A/C systems,tons of rattles/squeeks, leaking/trouble prone axles(10,12 and 14 bolt), to slipping/exploding tranny's (th400, AND the torqueflite 727) and tbi motors that had non-starts, stumbling idle issues, etc.

My wife who is best described as vehicle neutral most of the time, actually turns up her nose, and scowls when she see's a mid-80's chevy product..hahah!!

So, I feel your pain, bro. Good luck with your repairs. Good on ya for fighting the good fight.

[ctb619]

did you move the distributor?

how did you test for spark at the plugs?

did you try pulling the cap and setting the engine to top dead center and reset your wires?

I didn't touch the distributor. I pulled one of the plugs and wired it to the negative terminal on the battery and turned the ignition. Spark looked good. Haven't tried setting to TDC yet, I think that's my next move. Thanks for the feedback.

[ctb619]

We had an 88 suburban, and an 89 blazer, both with 350 tbi's, and I know some people love these vehicles, but they were both 2 of the most craptastic vehicles I've owned.

From dead power windows, dead fuel pumps, crapped out A/C systems,tons of rattles/squeeks, leaking/trouble prone axles(10,12 and 14 bolt), to slipping/exploding tranny's (th400, AND the torqueflite 727) and tbi motors that had non-starts, stumbling idle issues, etc.

My wife who is best described as vehicle neutral most of the time, actually turns up her nose, and scowls when she see's a mid-80's chevy product..hahah!!

So, I feel your pain, bro. Good luck with your repairs. Good on ya for fighting the good fight.

lol, good stuff. Yeah, it's starting to look like a real POS. But I'm hoping to at least take it on a couple of trips before I write it off and move on to another vehicle.

[BIGdaddy]

lol, good stuff. Yeah, it's starting to look like a real POS. But I'm hoping to at least take it on a couple of trips before I write it off and move on to another vehicle.

Again, good for you.

Sucked in my situation, cuz I REALLY like the body style, and feel like their sizes, respectively, are very useful for my big family (3 kids + wife...all girls = tons of stuff)

I'm jumping the gun here, but would a 6.2L diesel be in your budget/scope? I know you've put a ton of work into yours already, but I'm still a big proponent of "the cheapest option is repairing the vehicle you already own"... 6.2's don't have a lot of power, but they seem pretty reliable, and get darned good mileage.

[warrpath4x4]

We had an 88 suburban, and an 89 blazer, both with 350 tbi's, and I know some people love these vehicles, but they were both 2 of the most craptastic vehicles I've owned.

From dead power windows, dead fuel pumps, crapped out A/C systems,tons of rattles/squeeks, leaking/trouble prone axles(10,12 and 14 bolt), to slipping/exploding tranny's (th400, AND the torqueflite 727) and tbi motors that had non-starts, stumbling idle issues, etc.

My wife who is best described as vehicle neutral most of the time, actually turns up her nose, and scowls when she see's a mid-80's chevy product..hahah!!

So, I feel your pain, bro. Good luck with your repairs. Good on ya for fighting the good fight.

lol you had a dodge tranny in your chevy? and was your 14 bolt a full float or semi float? im guessing in a burb it was a semi float so ya its only marginally better than a 12 bolt

[warrpath4x4]

I didn't touch the distributor. I pulled one of the plugs and wired it to the negative terminal on the battery and turned the ignition. Spark looked good. Haven't tried setting to TDC yet, I think that's my next move. Thanks for the feedback.

i have never heard of checking spark this way, most people pull the plug, put it back in the wire and hold it to the frame (with rubber grip pliers) while someone turns the key

[ctb619]

i have never heard of checking spark this way, most people pull the plug, put it back in the wire and hold it to the frame (with rubber grip pliers) while someone turns the key

I honestly don't know which way is correct. But either way you're just grounding the spark plug, right?

[ctb619]

Again, good for you.

Sucked in my situation, cuz I REALLY like the body style, and feel like their sizes, respectively, are very useful for my big family (3 kids + wife...all girls = tons of stuff)

I'm jumping the gun here, but would a 6.2L diesel be in your budget/scope? I know you've put a ton of work into yours already, but I'm still a big proponent of "the cheapest option is repairing the vehicle you already own"... 6.2's don't have a lot of power, but they seem pretty reliable, and get darned good mileage.

Funny you mention that, because I was initially looking for a 6.2 when I came across this one on Craigslist. Well, needless to say, it was cheap for a reason. A 6.2 is where I'd like to end up, it's just a matter of deciding which is easier/cheaper: an engine swap, or a completely different vehicle.