OK, so I got my the new engine in my truck to run and all. (Stock 87 L98 without emmissions, and headers and painless wiring harness)

I still can not set the timing. I unplug the EST wire, and it retards itself to 4* ATDC. I move the distributor around, and nothing. With the EST plugged in it idles about 4* BTDC. If I jump the ALDL while its running, it will advance the timing and idle really smooth and nice.

I've replaced the cap, rotor, ignition module, and the Electronic spark control module, new spark plugs and plug wires.

It seems that stuff is kinda working, cause it will advance the timing in certain instances. Could it be in some kind of limp home mode where it retards the timing?

Oh, when I drive it, it feels like there is a cork in the exhaust, and seems real sluggish (granted, this is a different engine and transmission than i"m used too, but right now I'm very disappointed in power) I think it has to do with the severally retarded timing. It especially falls on it face when it shift gears.



Second question. With the new tranny (700r4) it seems to work ok (though REALLY soft shifts). The wierd thing is when I hit the brake and I'm slowing down the rpm will drop all the way to Idle (700rpms). Is this normal? I don't think any other auto cars that I've driven have done this, so I'm thinking no. Any suggestions on this?

 

It's just a thought, but are you sure that TBC on the timing tab is really TDC? I had a problem with my car at first because it had was supposed to be read down behind the water pump, but had a side mount tab on it. This put the engine about 45 degrees out of time. I didn't try to drive it, because I knew something was wrong. The solution was to make a new TDC mark on the balancer in the right place and since then it's been fine. The ECU may be trying to keep the engine running, even though the EST wire is disconnected. That's the only thing I can think of if the EST wire has no effect. It could also be an ECU problem or some issue with the harness (I know the Painless harnesses are not 100% the same as a stock harness). Painless may have wired something a particular way to make it more swap friendly, but it is creating a problem. Without comparing schematics that is just a guess though.

 

The timing tab is in the right spot (my old engine had it more on the side) Its the stock timing chain cover.

I don't know about the wiring harness, maybe I can call them for suggestions.


I think my tranny problem may be caused by improperly adjusted TV cable. We'll see tonight

 

woo hoo, I figured it out

I took out the distributor and jumped it one tooth, and then moved all of the spark plug wires over one plug. I don't quite know why it worked, because the position of the rotor in relation to each plug wire is the same, but I don't really care