4 bbl tbi/ distributor/ other

[WarWagon454]

Hey guys, check out what i picked up on ebay for a cool $1600. Whaddya think?


She's a beauty, and even though i know next to nothing about cars, I'm diving in head first. So far so good. I'd also like to thank everyone for your old posts, you've taught me everything i know so far. Thanks! Anyway, this '88 454 tbi has a slight ping under load, so I did what any red blooded american would do, I borrowed a timing light. The timing is should be at 4d btdc, and it is at zero. I beleive the distributor to be a HEI distributor with sealed module connectors and seperate coil(according to the dealership manual). Now, i loosened the two screws that hold down the distributor cap, but the thing wouldn't budge. So the timing is still off. Is this some kind of unadjustable unit, or should it be moving? I'm kinda afraid to rotate too hard, because i dont want to blow up the engine if it turns a lot. I thought that there are only two types: distributor ignitions, and/or distributorless; and that distributor ignitions are all manually adjustable. Am i wrong about this? I'm feeling that it should be adjustable.
Also, I found that this truck is in a transitionary period of Chevy design. The suburban is an 88, with the early 80's body style, but the C/K trucks of that year were the new body style. So, its kind of confusing buying parts. Also, I guess it was one of the earlier years of TBI, so most of the aftermarket parts are for carbeurated trucks. Anyway, I was wondering what you guys thought about a 4 bbl tbi setup. I found a holley 4bbl 900cfm(supposedly) tbi unit around town, and figured that even if it is only 675cfm, it has to be better than the stock setup, right??? It would also be cheaper, because I could have a few choices of intake manifolds (it fits carbueirated ones),... I've only found one manifold that fits a 7.4 engine 2bbl tbi. Do you guys think it would work? Thanks! Also, does anyone know if 88-90ish C/k truck engine parts fit my motor? Did new style engines come with the new C/k body style, or is it all similar motors until the Vortec? Thanks!