I completed my 305tbi to 350 tpi swap. I used a wire harness from a 91 z28 and the block is from an 89. All the wires are hooked up seem ok but when I put the terminals on the battery the started started clicking and the positive battery terminal started smoking(I reused my started that came with the lo3 motor). when all this was going on I didn't have any power to any thing else on the car. I rechecked everything in the helms manuall and still can't figure it out. I think I need some good wiring schematics for the 91 harness but know one seems to have them. helms is helpfull for the wire layout but that is about it. I know there are lots of tbi to tpi swaps that have been done on this board did anyone run into these problems? Any suggestions on where to start would be helpfull.

 

In my TPI harness there were numerous ground connections on the back of the passenger side head. if you were missinggrounds this could cause a problem, but not the definite cause. You said nothing else had power right? If I remember correctly, there is a dist. block on the core support next to the battery, take a test light to that puppy and then at the back of alternator with key on. I did the same thing in my 82. wound up being fusible link(s) burned up and killed all power but to my key buzzer. email with any questions
Mike

 

see I was thinking a fusible link too. on the l03 wiring harness there is a plug that goes in to the alternater and then a red wire that hooks up at the back of the alternator; the tpi harness just has a plug that plugs in the alternator and not on the back. is it possible that i just need to run a wire from the battery to the back of the alternator? still confused on what to do from here. now I did have a similar problem with my alarm which did cause the starter to click but it has been a while since this happened so I am not sure of the exact details. Oh can someone post a few picks of the tpi motor in there car so I can see the how all the wires line up to make sure my s*** is in the right places........

ps all the grounds on the back of the head are ok, checked and rechecked all grounds and they seem ok.

 

Fixed my cranking problem by installing a new starter that fits the flywheel better and it finally cranks like it is supposed to but now I have a knocking sound coming from the block somewhere. Tried to start it up tonight but no gas in the tank, I heard a constant knock and started drinking beer. I am starting to get very pissed off any one know what it could be. I think it may be the crank coming around hitting the oil pump screen or possibly the valves hitting the top of the pistons but I readjusted everything on the top end and it still has a clanking noise. Need some guidance from the car G**'s or at least someone who has done motor swaps before.