disturbedfuel15 10+ year member
So Is Life
A little background-
I am somewhat mechanically inclined... I am learning and doing everything myself to save money. I joined the marine corps after high school, and my job takes up most of my time. Therefore, it is a slow learning process. Point being, excuse my naivety!
I posted the specs of the truck I bought about a month and a half ago. Link- http://www.gmt400.com/forum/showthread.php?18997-My-Blacked-Out-89-1500. I have done so much to this truck already as the previous owner did everything half-assed to get it on the racetrack. The block is out of a 2000 Tahoe z71. Also, there is an MSD ignition and distributor, an optima blue top battery, and a push button start (key has to be turned right before you would normally turn it to crank it).
The problem-
I replaced the spark plug wires because a couple had melted because they were resting on the headers. I changed them out with Bosch wires (lifetime warranty) and routed them out of the way of the headers. Started it up and drove to the hardware store. Came out, tried to start the truck up. It turned over once or twice, and then quit. After a few more failed attempts, I assumed the battery died. I tried to get a jump- same symptoms. Let it charge from the other truck for 15 minutes- same. I left it there, came back the next day, and assumed it was a positive wire that was hanging down under the truck, right next to the starter. I tried to crank it over with that wire on every single post coming off the starter- same symptoms. My buddy moved the wire away from the frame and starter... I tried it a few more times and finally it fired up. We electrical taped the exposed wire and made sure it wasn't touching anything. Brought it to the gas station, put some gas in it, tried to fire it up, same symptoms as before. I kept trying to start it and finally some smoke came out from the positive battery terminal. I said enough is enough, my buddy and I were both confused and he tow-strapped me home. Here she sits. I have no idea what can be wrong. I am about to rewire the entire truck. I recently cleaned the battery terminals and added 4 guage wires from the pos battery to alt, negative battery to frame, and frame to engine block to ensure it was getting enough current. Here's something else that blows my mind- When I removed the stock positive going from the alternator, and tried to start it with just the positive 4 guage to the battery, the truck acted like the battery was completely disconnected. I thought the alternator wire simply went from the pos to to the alt?
Sorry for the long post, but I am trying to describe everything I can. The truck has almost no stock sensors hooked up. The voltage meter, speedometer, fuel, and temp guage are the only guages left stock because it has a carb. No map sensor, no o2 sensor, nothing really. Aftermarket oil pressure and tachometer are installed. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Respectfully,
Travis
I am somewhat mechanically inclined... I am learning and doing everything myself to save money. I joined the marine corps after high school, and my job takes up most of my time. Therefore, it is a slow learning process. Point being, excuse my naivety!
I posted the specs of the truck I bought about a month and a half ago. Link- http://www.gmt400.com/forum/showthread.php?18997-My-Blacked-Out-89-1500. I have done so much to this truck already as the previous owner did everything half-assed to get it on the racetrack. The block is out of a 2000 Tahoe z71. Also, there is an MSD ignition and distributor, an optima blue top battery, and a push button start (key has to be turned right before you would normally turn it to crank it).
The problem-
I replaced the spark plug wires because a couple had melted because they were resting on the headers. I changed them out with Bosch wires (lifetime warranty) and routed them out of the way of the headers. Started it up and drove to the hardware store. Came out, tried to start the truck up. It turned over once or twice, and then quit. After a few more failed attempts, I assumed the battery died. I tried to get a jump- same symptoms. Let it charge from the other truck for 15 minutes- same. I left it there, came back the next day, and assumed it was a positive wire that was hanging down under the truck, right next to the starter. I tried to crank it over with that wire on every single post coming off the starter- same symptoms. My buddy moved the wire away from the frame and starter... I tried it a few more times and finally it fired up. We electrical taped the exposed wire and made sure it wasn't touching anything. Brought it to the gas station, put some gas in it, tried to fire it up, same symptoms as before. I kept trying to start it and finally some smoke came out from the positive battery terminal. I said enough is enough, my buddy and I were both confused and he tow-strapped me home. Here she sits. I have no idea what can be wrong. I am about to rewire the entire truck. I recently cleaned the battery terminals and added 4 guage wires from the pos battery to alt, negative battery to frame, and frame to engine block to ensure it was getting enough current. Here's something else that blows my mind- When I removed the stock positive going from the alternator, and tried to start it with just the positive 4 guage to the battery, the truck acted like the battery was completely disconnected. I thought the alternator wire simply went from the pos to to the alt?
Sorry for the long post, but I am trying to describe everything I can. The truck has almost no stock sensors hooked up. The voltage meter, speedometer, fuel, and temp guage are the only guages left stock because it has a carb. No map sensor, no o2 sensor, nothing really. Aftermarket oil pressure and tachometer are installed. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Respectfully,
Travis
