So I picked up a 1985 Z28 305 to put into this Firebird, it was supposed to be out of a car that got rear-ended in the late 80's and its been sitting ever since. I bought it complete with everything except the alternator, wiring harness, or computer. The engine turned over fine by hand. I noticed after I got it home that the AC compressor said R134a on it so that leaves me to wonder about the story a little. Anyways, I replaced the rear main seal, the oil pan gasket, the water pump, the intake gaskets, the spark plugs, cap, rotor, wires, the fuel injectors and rebuilt the fuel pressure regulator, changed the oil and filter and primed the engine before I put it in. I also removed the air pump system and plugged the ports in the exhaust manifolds. I used as many things of the 87 as I could like the distributor, because the 85 had HEI on it and the 87 doesn't. I know I need to get the chip reprogrammed for the 305 injectors in the future. Right now it will start up great as soon as I turn the key as long as I give it a little gas but will not idle, if i hold the throttle in one place the RPM will jump around. Also the oil pressure is pegging the guage. I did do the IAC relearn procedure before I got to this point and have done it a few times since but it hasnt changed anything, I swapped the TPS off of the 87 350 but that didnt help either. No CEL and when I try to run the codes, I only get 12 6 times which means no codes. When it runs it does not sound like all cylinders are firing but it is not back firing in the intake either. I rechecked the firing order and according to this drawing I am off one position counter clockwise (1 is were 2 is supposed to be). So I tried moving all of that and I didnt get anything at all, it would crank but not try to fire at all. So I moved them back and it did the same thing as before, wont idle and runs kinda crappy at about 1500 RPM. I also noticed when I jumped out the A&B terminals to get the codes the radiator fan came on. Any ideas of what tpo look at next would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

The placement of the #1 wire on the cap doesn't matter as long as you have it timed close to correct and the rest of the wires are in the proper sequence. Checking timing, fuel pressure, TPS voltage and all those basics would be my start. I'd also be searching for a vacuum leak, if not several. TPI can make a leak pretty difficult to find so a homemade smoke machine helps wonders.

 

Jumping A-B will set the ECU to diagnostic mode, turn on the radiator fans, close the IAC, etc.

 

Sounds like injectors are very old and are varnished ?
You might want to start with replacing them and doing a tune.
If you want the linked memcal I can do $90 shipped in the states outside of eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/87-Camaro-F...wAAOSwVH9b63RA

 

I also have a Hypertech 127042 for $100 shipped

 

OK so I guess I will check the TPS voltage and look for vacuum leaks, probably remove and clean and IAC, probably double check TDC on #1. Anyone have any idea why the oil pressure would be so high?

 

Pegged gauge is usually:
1. Bad sender
2. Bad link between sender and gauge
3. Bad gauge

My guess is its the wiring between the two, (somewhere...that's the fun part). I think it reads by resistance, so no reading is broken wire, and pegged is short? Someone will chime in to correct me, but either way i would look at the wiring. GL

 

 

So if you notice in the pic, the timing seems to be right, I dont remember if I put the black mark on the intake or not, lol. But also the Oil sending unit was blocking the travel of the distributor. I tried to remove the oil sending unit and the top of it was spinning without the bottom spinning, so I replaced it and the oil pressure gauge now works, I also turned the fittings so it didnt impede the distributor. I hate to admit it but when I replaced the injectors, I didn't re-tighten the bottom bolts on the intake runners, as soon as I did that it started up and idled great, with no CEL. I still need to set the timing and tie up a few other loose ends, and charge the A/C, but hopefully it will be running well enough Monday to get tags. Then its on to interior and audio.