Cadillac Repair: GMC, spark plug wire, auto parts store

Question
85 SIERRA 1500 WITH 305 V8 GETTING FIRE AND GAS NOT SURE IF GETTING THE MAX. FIRE WILL NOT START, HOW CAN I TRELL IF MAYBE IT JUMPED TIME AND ANY SUGGESTIONS

Answer
Hi ALL, If you have spark and fuel then you should have compression. However if the catalytic converter/exhaust system was plugged then it won't start eithor. You can buy adjustable spark checkers from the auto parts store and if placed on the end of the coil or spark plug wire will determine if the spark is "hot" enough. Look inside the distributor cap at the center to make sure a hole isn't burned and that the rotor is ok. If there is an easy place to drop the exhaust between the exhaust manifold and catalytic converter that would be the second thing to try. To check for jumped timing make sure the engine is at #1 compression, the mark on the harmonic balancer will line up with the 0 on the timing tab, and then remove the dist.cap and see if the rotor points to #1 terminal. If it looks way off then remove the #1 plug and place your finger over the hole and with the coil power wire disconnected have someone bump the starter until you feel a puff from the hole and then line up the marks. That will be #1 at TDC. Hope that helps. Repost in the GMC or Chevy section if more help is needed. Bill