'87 305 TBI won't start - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**LEEVON** · 03-17-2009, 08:50 PM

I pulled this motor to seal up some leaks. It is a 305 TBI in an '87 silverado, factory stock, no modifications whatsoever. I put everything back like it was and now it cranks but won't start. All I was able to check was voltage at the fuse block to verify that all ignition and fuel related circuits are getting power.

I also poured a little fuel on the throttle blades just to see if maybe I had spark and no fuel with no luck. Where should I start troubleshooting?

Thanks!

kelsfine69 · 03-17-2009, 10:18 PM

Sounds like something is not plugged in. Have someone crank it while you look at the injectors and see if there spraying. If not then no fuel. check pump circuit. If yes then pull a plug wire and see if you have spark. If not check Distributor. Coil and distributer is all plugged in?

**LEEVON** · 03-17-2009, 10:40 PM

well I had the wife crank it while I looked at the injectors, plenty of fuel. Coil is suspect now. It has all new plug wires, cap, rotor, etc...something must not be making contact at a connector to the coil.

kelsfine69 · 03-17-2009, 11:17 PM

It might be the module in the Dist?

**LEEVON** · 03-18-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelsfine69

It might be the module in the Dist?

Yes that is surely suspect. I guess parts stores can test those modules, I'll have that done.

I checked resistance on the coil wire and all the fuses. Also unplugged and re-plugged all the connectors. Next step is to check resistance on the coil and continuity on the wires from distributor to ECM.

Does this sound like the right course to everybody?

rfmaster · 03-19-2009, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelsfine69

It might be the module in the Dist?

Unlikely, if EST module failed ECM would not receive DRP pulses from distributor. Without DRP pulses from dizzy ECM would never fire injectors.

I would check ignition coil and wiring. External coils are prone to fail unlike earlier in HEI (large diameter HEI).

//RF

jchav62 · 03-19-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelsfine69

Sounds like something is not plugged in. Have someone crank it while you look at the injectors and see if there spraying. If not then no fuel. check pump circuit. If yes then pull a plug wire and see if you have spark. If not check Distributor. Coil and distributer is all plugged in?

I agree. Sounds like something didn't get plugged in or is loose. Recheck all connectors.

chevymotocross · 03-19-2009, 08:02 PM

I had a similar problem and it was my pickup coil. Don't remember if I was getting fuel from the injectors like you are though. Odd that it started fine though before you pulled the engine.

turbo350 · 10-19-2009, 09:13 PM

Leevon, did you ever figure out what the issue was?

03-17-2009, 08:50 PM	#1
LEEVON Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,888	'87 305 TBI won't start I pulled this motor to seal up some leaks. It is a 305 TBI in an '87 silverado, factory stock, no modifications whatsoever. I put everything back like it was and now it cranks but won't start. All I was able to check was voltage at the fuse block to verify that all ignition and fuel related circuits are getting power. I also poured a little fuel on the throttle blades just to see if maybe I had spark and no fuel with no luck. Where should I start troubleshooting? Thanks! __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids Last edited by LEEVON; 03-17-2009 at 08:51 PM.

03-17-2009, 10:18 PM	#2
kelsfine69 18 Till I Die Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,522	Re: '87 305 TBI won't start Sounds like something is not plugged in. Have someone crank it while you look at the injectors and see if there spraying. If not then no fuel. check pump circuit. If yes then pull a plug wire and see if you have spark. If not check Distributor. Coil and distributer is all plugged in? __________________ 2011 GMC Acadia 1969 GMC BBC LS7 2007 GMC Crew Duramax 1987 Camaro Iroc 350 Tuned Port Injection 42000Km 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI(yes 2) Take me drunk, I'm too home...

03-17-2009, 10:40 PM	#3
LEEVON Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,888	Re: '87 305 TBI won't start well I had the wife crank it while I looked at the injectors, plenty of fuel. Coil is suspect now. It has all new plug wires, cap, rotor, etc...something must not be making contact at a connector to the coil. __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids

03-17-2009, 11:17 PM	#4
kelsfine69 18 Till I Die Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,522	Re: '87 305 TBI won't start It might be the module in the Dist? __________________ 2011 GMC Acadia 1969 GMC BBC LS7 2007 GMC Crew Duramax 1987 Camaro Iroc 350 Tuned Port Injection 42000Km 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI(yes 2) Take me drunk, I'm too home...

03-19-2009, 08:02 PM	#8
chevymotocross Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: East Haven, CT Posts: 882	Re: '87 305 TBI won't start I had a similar problem and it was my pickup coil. Don't remember if I was getting fuel from the injectors like you are though. Odd that it started fine though before you pulled the engine. __________________ 87 Chevy 2wd SWB: 305/700r4 Dual Exhaust, K&N Filter, Injector Pod Spacer, TBI Spacer, Belltech Front Sway Bar, Corvette Servo, Western Chassis 4/6 and c-notch

10-19-2009, 09:13 PM	#9
turbo350 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 316	Re: '87 305 TBI won't start Leevon, did you ever figure out what the issue was?

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