2001 Silverado 4.3l weak spark

[01Clunky]

Hello forum, newbie here on a long winding track of working on my family's 400,000 mile 'Verado all original drive-train. To start out I started working on this engine (4.3l) Initially with a leaking intake gasket, replaced all upper end gaskets, also at the same time I replaced the heater core and timing set mainly because the timing cover was leaking and it was the original timing set. when I looked at the distributor when taking intake apart, I noticed that the gear was worn down significantly, so I replaced it. Then after all said and done, slow crank then no crank, starter gave out. Starter replaced then no START, Also yes verified that my timing chain marks were set properly, I took photos of everything in my process to know what I did and to be certain, and I set the distributor correct with both timing marks on balancer to timing cover marks and the distributor on the mark (6) for cylinder 1 TDC.

So I did a little diagnosis and found that the spark was weak using my inductance clamp first there was no light at the spark plug wire but was at coil so I used a spark tester and found that they both had a weak faint orange spark, plug wire and coil wire, so I replaced the coil with with an ACDELCO, as this was also the original Delco Remy coil at 400k. (battery was tested its still good on the CCA, The spark plugs and wire are less than a year old they looked good no oil fouling, pump is also less than a year old, I was able to smell gasoline, but I didn't have my fuel pressure tester but I will check again to be sure) And still a weak spark. I am getting no codes cause the battery was disconnected this whole time but I am getting an rpm signal from the ckp and everything else I am able to read. I am gonna start suspecting a ground issue with the block but I am not sure what all grounds there are.

I also did the connector testing with the connectors disconnected but I am still hesitant to believe there is nothing wrong with them.. But that is where I am at now cause I don't have any good wiring diagrams or anything to go off of. Thanks for taking the time to read, I hope I get some feedback soon!

[Supreme Pizza]

Try using a spark tester on it. Maybe some starting fluid too. 

[01Clunky]

I used starting fluid and it made no difference, also I used a spark tester and it had a faint orange spark, I ended up getting another free replacement AC delco coil and it was still the same faint orange spark

[Supreme Pizza]

Are you getting good power supply to the coil? Can you run a lead from the battery to the coil? Do you have an engine ground problem? 

[Supreme Pizza]

I gotta go fix a car, but I will be back later. 

[01Clunky]

Yes I am getting 12v power to the coil and the ignition module, I am not sure if I do have a ground problem but that is what it is looking like because theres nothing else I can think of that could be causing this problem, it was running prior to all this but it has been sitting for a while maybe corrosion formed? But I do not have any good information on the wiring or where things are grounded that have do with the ignition , I will run a jumper from the battery to the coil, i'll just have to get some pins to run the white and black tracer wire, but it will have to be during the weekend

[Supreme Pizza]

Connect new ground wires like this: 

 

    (-) battery terminal to engine

    (-) Battery terminal to body

    Engine to body 

 

   If all of those are good, you don't have a standard ground problem. 

 

    I have seen ground connections that will allow the starter to work, but nothing else. Weak spark could be a corroded ground wire. The starter draws so much power that the electricity will jump the gap to ground. Your coil wont. 

 

    You don't need to use big heavy duty wires for the ground. Speaker wire will work as long as the connections are good. If the speaker wire gets super hot and melts, then you just found the problem. If the speaker wire does not melt, then you do not have a ground problem. 

    

[01Clunky]

Tried the grounds with speaker wire I had, there was a slightly better spark or so my mind thought but no melting nor was it hot to touch, but I added three braided ground wires that I had from my project car and put the coil wire back on dizzy and cranked it but still the same result. 

[Supreme Pizza]

Ignition Control Module?

[01Clunky]

Haven't messed with it yet but I mean it work as in it sends the spark signal in sync and it has power and ground , but I have a new discovery. Not sure if it directly causes a weak spark but I just found that the ignition switch turns without the key? To my knowledge this is a base model and didn't have a security system and I don't have wiring diagrams with me

[Supreme Pizza]

ignition switch is not related to your issue

[Supreme Pizza]

Weak spark or not, if you replace all of the spark plugs, it will fire. Spark is spark. However, weak spark will not work on a sub-par, damp, or slightly fouled plug. Its important to remember that spark plugs fire differently under compression vs outside the engine. Replace all of the plugs, and try to fire it up. 

[01Clunky]

Alright, I'll replace the spark plugs and find out what happens, gonna be about in a week or so and I'll give an update.