Hello I am new here and this is my first post. I put TBI onto a new crate 350 and it runs now, sort of.
Start it and it will run at very low, but steady RPMs then sneezes, or
pops out the intake and dies instantly. Take off the air filter and
heavy grey smoke lingers. What could it be? My guess is
timing/ignition. The timing is set to 0 with the EST disable
unplugged. I checked to see if its 180 off but if it was would it do
nothing but backfire? All the Wires go to the right plugs. The whole
distributor is new, except the cap and coil. WINALDL is connected to it and it
wont show any RPM readings. What was weird when I put in the new
distributor was #1 post on it points to #2 spark plug. Also I should
mention the voltage of the battery is about 11.5 average volts. It
needs to be charged, but as far as I know it shouldn't affect the
engine. Also the alternator is not connected. Please help! Thanks
guys, David

 

although not thrid gen related...it's definatly a timing issue...get a timing light and make adjustments...

 

Thanks for the reply. Its motor is like a third gen. I heard you guys know TBI well. Is it ok to post here? The engine/fuel system is almost the same as your LO3 camero, just pretend a camero is holding it off the ground? Since it won't run long enough yet (also backfiring out tbi) it was timed to 0 while cranking. Is that ok?

 

since it's not 3rd gen related...it's just a matter of time before a moderator finds your thread and locks it. but, the timing is gonna be based on your set up. if you can keep it running long enough, adjust your distributor enough to keep it running. then get a timing light make the proper timing adjustments.

 

Oh I thought it was related enough. I don't want to be trouble. So if one tries to set the timing with the injectors unplugged, and a buddy cranking it, would that timing be set or not?

 

There's no way of telling with the injectors unhooked if you're setting it right. the engine will need to be running so that you can see/hear if it's getting worse or better. because it's backfiring through the TBI, I'm gonna say that you're too far before TDC.

you've gotta consider. if we let anyone with any car on here, then it wouldn't be Thirdgen ya know. when we do searches and such we wanna know that the results that we find are also thirdgen related. this is a site for enthusiests of 3rd gen camaros and firebird. letting any cars on here would also cause too much clutter for the moderators to handle. why don't you go pick up a camaro shell and toss that 350 in it then we'll get it running no problem. lol. hope I was able to help with your problem.

 

Thanks for your input. Check out my new improved signature and profile! I gotta go to work now will play with the timing after.

 

LOL!
good thinking.

 

Found TDC and discovered that I was using a harmonic damper with the timing mark at 12 o clock. My crate engine has the timing tab at 2 o'clock, like older ones do before 79, I just learned. So I plan to get a proper damper. Till then I guess. Tried a couple new dizzy positions, and its trying to start. It starts as I turn the key and dies as I let up. I hope that's not another TBI problem. No more backfiring now. I will try more tomorrow, when I don't have to worry about wa king nieghbors.

 

still sounds like you're not getting the timing right. but there is a big possibility that your being deprived of fuel. try checking your filter and hope that you pump and/or injectors aren't going bad.

 

I set the dizzy cap how it should be pointed and I pressed on the trottle cranked and it started and held RPMs its alive! it just needed help for a few seconds. I adjested the TPS earlier from .75 to .52 maybe thats it, or the ecu hadn't played with the IAC maybe? Do you think it will the ecm will learn? It runs now so I am going to put the rest of the car together, accessories, front brakes, dash, etc. Thanks for the help -David

 

I wouldnt worry about the ECM. since you're TBI all that doesn't tie into the ECM too much. just the Injectors. As long as she's running smooth that's all that matters. good to hear it's running finally.