1978 Chevrolet C1500 - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

If I understand the post correctly, kinda sounds like the firing order is off. Firing order should be 18436572. Could be out of time as well. That is where I would start.

Did you check the starter and starter relay. If the starter is failing it will require more voltage than usual to turn over and start the truck. Heat soaking can also be a problem. Check the wiring to the starter and any wiring you reconnected when you replaced the alternator.

This is not hard... you just need the tools.. autozone should have the loaners... get one of these... Repair Manual Vehicle Maintenance

If there's no oil cap directly on one of the valve covers (it may have a breather hose attached which connects to the breather element in the breather pan), then some models require adding oil through the dipstick. If this is the case, there should be a cap type dipstick instead of the standard "hook". There are 6 different motors (8 including variations) for your truck so no manual has the exact location of the oil cap. Best of luck and hope I answered your question.
Greg

If it is a 4 barrel you need to run a higher octane than a 2 barrel. You need to check your timing and readjust your mixture and air flow.

Take off the flywheel from the original engine and put it on the new (used ) engine.

There are 3 separate belts, one for the alternator, one for the power steering and one for the A/C. You don't need a diagram, you just look at what groove lines up with what accessory and place the proper length belt on that set of pulleys.

Basic task is to take the nut off the top of the joint, and knock the stem out of the knuckle or joint. You may need to use a pickle fork to get it to move. Then you unscrew the end from the coupler. Be sure to measure the length of the assembly before you remove it, you may need to have the front end aligned after the procedure.

1979 chevy C1500 the vacuum setup varies, by (california, Federal (USA) and export models) where are you, or if in USA the under hood sticker shows if calif.or not. if in usa, use the FSM (buy one used) or use alldata.com on USA cars , (not sure starting year, this one is old) the vacuum map is on the underside of the hood. (not not painted over,etc)

here ya go

Some things you can check. First, with the engine off, look down into the carburetor and quickly move the throttle. You should see a squirt of fuel. If not, the accelerator pump is bad. If that is OK, check the spark itself. It should bridge a half inch gap with no problem and should be healthy (have good "snap" and bluish color). If OK, check the two wires that run from the ignition module inside the distributor, down under the breaker plate.Often those wires can partially break or short to the housing...when the advance moves the plate it will cause a problem.
Only other thing I can think of is timing. That engine likes from 8 to 12 degrees advance (depends on fuel quality) if it's set wrong it can make it fall on it's face when you floor it. (bad chain can do that too).

bad spring -bent hood-or bolts loosened on hinge -

with vin number on motor and also on tranny

As long as it is a carbureted engine , simply change intakes and install your four barrel . Yes it is computerized , but will not interfere with carb swap .

fuel filter i would think.

Check timing to make sure your plugs wires are ran correctly and that your timing isn't way off as this will cause it not to start.

Yes it will bolt up fine.

HelloI would rebuild the carburetor or check the intake for vacuum leaks or leaking vacuum hoses, all these cause a lean mixture of fuel and that causes hesitation. The EGR valve opening to early due to a defective delay or other control device can also cause hesitation, disconnect the EGR to confirm the problem lies there and repair if needed

gyver here , twenty year wrencher.. sounds like either you got the timing out on the distributor , or the timing on the crank and cam are off. if you know the timing marks were set cam at twelve crank at six the dist is out. common for guys to set cam and crank n marks one above the other but then you must rotate engine 360 degree before you set dist back into hole. pull dist up rotate 180 degree .let me know

There are two bolts at the end of the hood on each side. All you have to do is loosen them up and slide the hood to where you need it.