I recently did a 87 22r to a 83 22r swap. The engine cranks fine and is getting gas but wont start. The plug that goes to the distributor that comes out of the coil shows no voltage. Shown in the first picture. I took 2 wires and ran them from the plugs that had voltage to the plug on the distributor but still no fire. Any ideas? I dont know what else to try? I kept the plug that fits on the 87 alternator and spliced it to make it work with the 83 alternator. I just cant get no darn fire from it. Is there something I am missing or I am over looking that is a commmen problem? Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

Check the grounds from the battery to the body, and the body to the body of the coil/ic igniter. I had a similar problem. I solved it by running an additional ground cable from the point on the body where the battery ground goes to the starter mount bolts. This gives the starter a much better ground than going through the cheesy strap ground that has gotten corroded and nasty. Mine would crank all day but no sparky. It would push start though.

I checked my grounds, they seem fine. You say a ground going to the coil which wire is that? I only see the 2 little wires going into the coil from the plug. I cleaned the battery to body ground and tried to fire it up and it fired and almost started but the damn battery was too low. I charged the battery and tried it again but it did the same thing, I tried to jump start it and then it wouldnt fire at all.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Mine had a jumper wire running from the body of the coil/igniter to one of the bolts on fender well. When I rebuilt the IC igniter, I ran a new/bigger jumper just in case. Could also be your ignition switch. You can check that with a meter and schematic.

this is so frustrating still cant figure it out.

ok today I finally got it to fire and start and run for about 8 seconds then it died. It was cutting in and out. Now I cant get it started it just turns over but wont fire I think. I cant figure out what the deal is.

Does the breather assembly have to be on the truck while you try to start it to make it run properly? I have had it off this whole time if that makes any difference.

Is it making spark the whole time you are cranking? sounds like it could be the ic igniter. Assuming all your connections are tight. The breather situation should not affect anything electrically and the engine should at least try to run even if it's messed up. The IC igniter is tough to diagnose. Mine simply failed and the engine had no spark no matter what. I've heard that some come and go for a bit before checking out forever. Lemme know if you need an igniter, I've got the plans to make one yourself for cheap and it works, I've been using one for almost 2 years now.

xrtim@sbcglobal.net

Well I tried it again and this time the truck started up and ran first try, but died after about 15 seconds, it was also cutting out a bit. I am thinking more of a fuel problem now.