20 Most Recent 1978 Chevrolet C1500 Questions & Answers

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)

you can buy an itake to convert it you dont need to change the heads the 4 center bolts have just a slightly differant angle then change the distributar slap a carb on and put an inline fuel pump and your good to go

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 -