issues starting and rough idle
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Let's agree on a process and do it without deviating. And, if this rascal has a computer the absolute first thing to do is to pull the codes. If it doesn't have a computer then the absolute first thing to do is to convert to DS-II.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: WI
Well, when I bought the truck it was warm out, like 80s, ran fine when test drove ect. Got it home ran it every other week or so, then it just sat till I changed the head gasket, since it's been changed, the watcher has been much colder like 40s, I think I read somewhere if you still have the computer controlled dist. It will run like crap when trying to start cold, hard to start, run crappy all around, so I'm wondering if I should hit the junkyard and finish the conversion? It has the intake and ex sugars off and 82 i believe along with carb and carb rebuild air pump gone, vac lines plugged ect.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
As I said: Let's agree on a process and do it without deviating. And, if this rascal has a computer the absolute first thing to do is to pull the codes. If it doesn't have a computer then the absolute first thing to do is to convert to DS-II.
Let me say it another way - I believe your truck's computer has its knickers in a twist because of some input that is out of whack or not even there. So it has the timing locked in a mode where it won't run well hot, cold, or any other way. You have a choice: Ask the computer what it thinks the problem is and fix that, or take the computer out and convert to DS-II. If you do the latter you don't know that it will fix it because you don't know that the ignition timing is the only problem. The better course is to ask the computer - it costs nothing and will give you information you will not have otherwise.
So PLEASE choose an approach, let us know which, and stick with it.
Let me say it another way - I believe your truck's computer has its knickers in a twist because of some input that is out of whack or not even there. So it has the timing locked in a mode where it won't run well hot, cold, or any other way. You have a choice: Ask the computer what it thinks the problem is and fix that, or take the computer out and convert to DS-II. If you do the latter you don't know that it will fix it because you don't know that the ignition timing is the only problem. The better course is to ask the computer - it costs nothing and will give you information you will not have otherwise.
So PLEASE choose an approach, let us know which, and stick with it.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: WI
To tell you the truth, I've not done it on a non-EFI system, but I know it can be done. Here's a link to how to do it on an EFI system - hopefully it will give you enough info. If not I'll ping someone for help.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 63
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From: WI
ok, am i doing this right? this to this, then when i turned the key, nothing happened, just the 2 lights that come on and that was it, no clicks noting, is there a fuse that could be fried? or bad relays.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
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From: Northeast, OK
Please be more specific - "the 2 lights that come on" tells me absolutely nothing. Were they the dome light? The head lights? Seriously, you have to tell me everything because all I know I'm getting from you - and I'm lost at this point.
And, was that the negative post of the battery?
And, was that the negative post of the battery?
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 63
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From: WI
Please be more specific - "the 2 lights that come on" tells me absolutely nothing. Were they the dome light? The head lights? Seriously, you have to tell me everything because all I know I'm getting from you - and I'm lost at this point.
And, was that the negative post of the battery?
And, was that the negative post of the battery?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
That's better. Maybe we can get out of the woods together. I just happen to have an 85 instrument bezel and the left light is Emissions, aka Check Engine, and the middle one is High Beam. (See, I told you it was the headlights. 
)
So, you do have a computer or the Emissions light wouldn't be on. But, it doesn't flash after a few seconds to a minute when doing the test?
)So, you do have a computer or the Emissions light wouldn't be on. But, it doesn't flash after a few seconds to a minute when doing the test?
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 63
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From: WI
That's better. Maybe we can get out of the woods together. I just happen to have an 85 instrument bezel and the left light is Emissions, aka Check Engine, and the middle one is High Beam. (See, I told you it was the headlights. )
So, you do have a computer or the Emissions light wouldn't be on. But, it doesn't flash after a few seconds to a minute when doing the test?
)So, you do have a computer or the Emissions light wouldn't be on. But, it doesn't flash after a few seconds to a minute when doing the test?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
I looked at the last couple of pages of threads, it sounds like the computer is disconnected/not working doing anything. So you will probably get codes if you could even get the computer to talk to you.
I am thinking that could be part of your problem. But from what I gather, these things will run with the computer not hooked up, just not very well/not much power. I would get a timing light and check and see where the timing is. Use that as a reference point so you can put it back, and then just turn it one way and see what the engine does, and then turn it the other way and see what the engine does. See if you can get it to run better at one certain spot. You will need to set the timing anyway if you ever put the duraspark II ignition in place. You could go out and just move the dist, but you could be adding on more problems, that is why you need to see where it's at now, so you can put it back if it gets worse.
I am thinking that could be part of your problem. But from what I gather, these things will run with the computer not hooked up, just not very well/not much power. I would get a timing light and check and see where the timing is. Use that as a reference point so you can put it back, and then just turn it one way and see what the engine does, and then turn it the other way and see what the engine does. See if you can get it to run better at one certain spot. You will need to set the timing anyway if you ever put the duraspark II ignition in place. You could go out and just move the dist, but you could be adding on more problems, that is why you need to see where it's at now, so you can put it back if it gets worse.