Hey fellas!

I'm busy trying to work out all the bugs with my TPI system, so I can actually take my baby for a spin again!

Basically, I've been setting the timing to approx 8 degrees with the est connector disconnected, however, the ECM does not advance the timing when I reconnect it the est connector. The ECM does not advance the timing when I blip the throttle either. The result is an engine that backfires through the MAF (blew the screen clean out, I hope I didn't damage the MAF itself!) and will not rev up.

However, the thing that makes this problem the most odd -- Occasionally its like the ECM flicked a switch, and punched the timing in, the engine will suddenly smooth right out, and rev right up to 5 grand within a second, then a second later, start popping again.

I just had the injectors flow tested, and they are all right in line with where they should be. The truck starts extremely poorly, you actually have to push the pedal in a bit to let more air in so it will fire up, and once it does fire up, the thing barely runs. The whole truck shakes like I've got a massive missfire, and will not idle less than 1000 rpm.

I'm fairly confident that my fuel system is fine, and I know my air ducting system is fine, so I can only figure that something is up with the ignition system.

Any thoughts?

 

I'd start off by checking obvious things first.

Double check that all the spark plugs are plugged in and in the correct firing order.
Check for vacuum leaks
check to make sure the plug in in the distributor is light
check that the ESCM is plugged in correctly
check that the distributor is in the correct position (not 1 tooth off)

after all those checks, you might want to look at the distributor. Might need a new spark module.

When I put my engine in recently, my timing was at 6* ATDC and I couldn't adjust it!!!! Finally moved the dist. 1 tooth and it worked.

Did you unplug your jumper wire from the ALDL (or whatever that connector is called)