87 TBI 350

[Cessex19]

Someone school me on this tbi 350's! My truck is an 87 2500 w/ the 4spd and 4x4. Has a newer 350 crate motor in it that is completely stock other than long tubes and true duals. What does it take to get this tbi running top notch?? Just seems like mine has no power although it does have factory 3.42 gears in it. Exhaust doesn't even have a strong tone to it at idle, just sounds like puffs of air coming out no real noise until you drive it. Teach me a thing or two!

 

[fast 99]

Not a lot of information to go on. Codes? General tune up condition? EGR function?

Plugged exhaust? vacuum reading at idle and under load.

 

[Ricko1966]

More info needed on crate engine. What crate engine? What camshaft?

 

[Cessex19]

More info needed on crate engine. What crate engine? What camshaft?

Just stock 350 from oriellys

 

[Redfish]

What is your timing set at? Did you unplug the magic wire to set the timing? Is your knock sensor working correctly? The MAP sensor?

The '87 TBI 350 is rated at 210 horsepower...but some say that's optimistic.

My '87 is a shortbed 4WD with the 4 speed manual and 3.42 gears, 33x12.50 mud grips. It's not very fast...

 

[Cessex19]

What is your timing set at? Did you unplug the magic wire to set the timing? Is your knock sensor working correctly? The MAP sensor?

The '87 TBI 350 is rated at 210 horsepower...but some say that's optimistic.

My '87 is a shortbed 4WD with the 4 speed manual and 3.42 gears, 33x12.50 mud grips. It's not very fast...

I am not sure, i did not install the engine. Just trying to find out info about these motors. i can say the smog has been deleted. Not sure if thats an issue or not

 

[Cessex19]

Not a lot of information to go on. Codes? General tune up condition? EGR function?

Plugged exhaust? vacuum reading at idle and under load.

exhaust isnt plugged, no ses light. fresh tune up. not sure how to see about the egr or vacuum

 

[fast 99]

If idle is smooth likely EGR is ok.

How do you know the exhaust isn't plugged? A vacuum gauge can be used for that diagnosis.

Does the CEL momentarily illuminate with a key on cycle?

 

[Redfish]

I am not sure, i did not install the engine. Just trying to find out info about these motors. i can say the smog has been deleted. Not sure if thats an issue or not

Well, these things have an O2 sensor and with the smog pump not pumping air into the exhaust manifolds you may have some issues.

On my '87 I started replacing everything that was electronic that could affect the motor since all of it was original to 1987. The knock sensor helped. The MAP helped. The module inside the distributor helped. A new distributor helped. Rebuilding the Throttle Body helped. Every little thing I did helped a little bit and now the old truck runs okay. It isn't fast but it is about where I think it should be for what it is.

None of us can say what, if anything, is actually wrong with your truck. But if all the electronics are original...

 

[Rusty Nail]

Ya. I'd listen to that guy.^

*looks around*


The factory ignition spec is 0°.
Might start there.
Shoot between 8 and 10 advanced. In OKLAHOMA i ran mine at 9.
You will find power if you connect both exhaust pipes after the transmission.
If the TBI unit is the holdover OE unit, you may benefit proving fuel pressure with a different spring.
You will find improvement in an aftermarket computer chip. Vintage by now, the best ones IMO are ADS Superchips.
Leave the 195 stat and buy a new PCV valve.

Hope this helps!
Good luck with your ALLEGED new engine in your so-called "truck".

 

[Ricko1966]

Just stock 350 from oriellys

You know that all stock 350s are not the same. I will assume it is a stock 350 TBI engine. TBI had a smaller cam,and different heads. They weren't power houses.