Truck Owner

[Bjross]

I have a 1992 c/k 1500. We had a re-built 5.7L 350 engine put in it about 8 years ago. 4 years ago, the transmission went out and the truck has sat since then. I’m trying to get it to crank now with no success. It’s cranking but won’t start. I’ve ruled out all of the normal starting problems (battery, starter, and fuel pump). I’m getting spark to my spark plugs so it seems like the ignition side is okay. I would say it’s a fuel side issue, but I’ve sprayed starting fluid in the intake a few times and still didn’t have any luck. Does anybody have an ideas on what the issue could be?

[Jsdirt]

Sitting that length of time you could have stuck valves or lifters. Listen to how it cranks. If it sounds "even" or "equal" as it cranks - like the starter is making equal effort with each cylinder, you can rule that out. If the starter RPM sounds like it's varying or skipping, you could have some stuck valves.

 

Even then it still should fire with ether on at least a couple cylinders, so my guess is you've got spark outside the cylinder, but not when the plug is IN the cylinder. It is MUCH harder for spark to jump any gap when it is under 150 or more PSI.

 

If it were me, I'd clean up the contacts inside the cap, on the rotor, and on ALL plug wires - both ends, too. If you live anywhere outside of the desert Southwest, I'd wager there's some corrosion that's weakening your spark.

 

Also, make sure there isn't any rodent damage anywhere - nests in the air cleaner or airbox, chewed up wires, etc..

 

If you tried to start it with the fuel that's in the tank, there's a good chance all 8 plugs are fouled with completely stale fuel. I would flush the fuel tank out, get some fresh fuel in there, change the fuel filter, then disconnect the line up by the throttle body and put it in a clear container, then cycle the key a couple times to flush the line out. Then clean all 8 plugs, clean up any corrosion on the contacts of the plugs, wires, cap, and rotor, then try starting again.