If those two pups knew there was a cat in that pipe, it'd be off in no time.

If those two pups knew there was a cat in that pipe, it'd be off in no time.

Probably true.

I can't get them to do anything in the barn but sleep on the floor while I work.

One detail to add: I lean so strongly toward a blocked cat being the problem in part because the fouled plugs were all to the rear of the engine closest to the exhaust (cat).

#s 5,7, and 8 were fouled.

Anyway, I'll try the MAP sensor swap tomorrow, and buy new plugs if anyone is open.

Swapped-out the MAP: no change.

Noticed two burnt plug wires (they are new) on cyls. #6 & #8 : stole two from Mothertruck.

Sure looked like the cat, so I unbolted the intermediate pipe planning to ream-out the cat, but decided to take a look inside first.

It's completely empty - nothing at all inside.

Bolted it back together and unhooked the O2 sensor. : no change

swapped in different plugs: no change

tried a new ground location for the sensor ground wires: no change

Tried burping the baby in case I had an air pocket creating a hot spot: no change

The only thing left that I can think of is the pickup coil/magnet in the distributor.

Or a worn out gear at the bottom of the distributor.

There really isn't much else left to look at.

So I guess that I'll swap the one from Mothertruck in and check it out.

Not a course of action I'd prefer, but I don'r see any other options right now.

Anyone with another idea, please post!

I'm not diving into the distributor thing until at least sometime tomorrow.

As stated prior leaking injectors????????

They don't seem to be.

This is becoming an interesting Saga...

When running the spray pattern should look like a clear umbrella with no dripping or voids

When running the spray pattern should look like a clear umbrella with no dripping or voids

That pretty much describes the way it looks, although seeing it isn't easy. I feel confident that the fuel system has been eliminated as a culprit.

I may get to swapping the distributor later today - but I'm going to do the "for sale" pics of the '38 Dodge first.

Well, the ol' Dodge ate up my day so no progress here.

But this is a leftover shot showing the fuel pressure tester hooked to the TBI:

Swapped the distributor - problem is still there.

You didn't run it with no CAT at all even being empty?

Here are some pics that actually look like an engine:

...

...

An observation... Did the rear-most ports on the heads stay sealed/covered by the intake plenum gaskets? Would that matter? In case the pictures in the quoted text don't show up, I'm referring to the 5th and 6th photos in this post.

Here are some pics that actually look like an engine: ... ...

An observation... Did the rear-most ports on the heads stay sealed/covered by the intake plenum gaskets? Would that matter? In case the pictures in the quoted text don't show up, I'm referring to the 5th and 6th photos in this post.

Those are coolant ports, and are designed to be that way. I did a double-take when I first saw them too, but they are correct.

Edited November 29, 201113 yr by Camino LS6

You didn't run it with no CAT at all even being empty?

No, the cat is nothing but a big pipe at this point - so it wouldn't make any difference.

I think I need to have this thing hooked-up to a scan tool that can read the soft codes (if any have been set).

Maybe the ECU after all?

Trying some fresh premium gas and a sea foam treatment in case it was bad gas...

Seafoam! Love the youtube videos of that!

Seafoam and fresh gas made no difference (except the plugs got nice and clean).

Threw in some new AC plugs - no change

Re-did a ground wire - no change

A friend is going to bring a scan tool by on Sunday, we'll see if that sheds any light.

Postponed!

My friend with the scan tool can't make it until tomorrow night.

The automotive gods are not smiling on me yet.

VICTORY!

The Tahoe is back!

Runs like a new truck now.

So, the funny part is that I had already fixed it and didn't know it. We found that there is a TON of resistance in the pickup coil in the original distributor, so swapping it with the one from Mothertruck should have solved the problem immediately.

It didn't only because after running the plug wires for the umpteenth time I transposed the #5 and #7 plug wires somehow when I put the other distributor in.

The resultant miss mimicked the earlier condition exactly.

I feel stupid and vindicated all at the same time.

Now all I have to do is some odds and ends under the hood of the Tahoe and replace the pickup coil so I can put a functional distributor back into Mothertruck.

Oh, and finally clean-up the garage!

Camino is a happy man tonight!

Awesome!

Awesome Bob, persistence pays patience. What a nice way to culminate a tough problem.

Now, how much for the truck?

Awesome Bob, persistence pays patience. What a nice way to culminate a tough problem.

Now, how much for the truck?

Right about now you'd have to pay a pretty penny to get me to sell it!

How about Devaluing Dollar instead?

cool

Congrats! Been a fascinating thread to follow...

Thanks.

I wasn't all that much fun to live through a good bit of it, but I'm very happy with the final result.

Wow....great to hear. You have to have a sense of accomplishment after getting it running again...

How's that for irony, given the thread title?

Congratulations, Camino. I'm glad this story had a happy ending.

Thanks guys.

To say I'm relieved would be an understatement.

Tomorrow I'll swap the insurance back and give the wagon a rest.

I'm going to get another new set of plug wires and tidy things up underhood, tighten and re-check everything that might need it, and make an appointment for inspection.

I might even wash it on the next warm day.

So... what you're saying is that in the end it really was just a bad wire......job!

Camino I'm so happy for you and many a Pro mechanic has made that mistake so your in good company(including me). Enjoy the truck and don't sell it's time to recoup your efforts!

Just catching up from hunting

Edited December 6, 201113 yr by 67impss

Good to know the Tahoe is going to be around for a long damn time, sir!

Thanks guys.

And yeah, I felt like an ass getting those wires crossed - I guess the law of averages caught up with me, I must have had them on and off about 30 times.

Got new wires and some looms for them yesterday, the pickup coil for the other distributor should be in today.

It's good to be driving the Tahoe again.

Edited December 7, 201113 yr by Camino LS6

Kind of nice when a car just fits you...like Olds and the toranado, you and the Tahoe, me and the Miata...

True enough.

Well, things are never easy.

Remember that hollowed-out cat?

The Tahoe failed emissions because of it. So I had to bite the bullet and buy a new Y pipe/converter and now have to lie on the cold concrete to replace the perfectly functional Y pipe on there now.

Expensive and annoying.

Damned emissions crap!

You thought you were going to pass emissions with a hollowed out cat? ..... in PA?...

You thought you were going to pass emissions with a hollowed out cat? ..... in PA?...

Not really, but I had to give it a shot.

...and it's fighting me.

Did I ever mention how much I hate working on exhaust systems?

Had to order a new O2 sensor as the old one isn't coming out, and one exhaust stud snapped (par).

I drilled out the old one and now have to run for a tap.

Grrr.

A tap? So you're off to Happy Hour?

A tap? So you're off to Happy Hour?

I should have gone to Happy Hour!

Royal pain in the backside, but the Tahoe now has a new exhaust from front to back.

I'll pick-up the new O2 sensor in the morning and that should be that - I'll finally get my stickers.

Good deal & ya might even get better MPG with the new O2 sensor

Maybe.

The Tahoe really runs great right now - no complaints there.

Installed the O2 this morning, but have to wait until Tuesday to get my stickers.

You thought you were going to pass emissions with a hollowed out cat? ..... in PA?...

Sorry, Camino, I'm having a good laugh at your expense on this logic, as well. ;-)

Good to hear that you're pretty much all fixed up again and the Taho is running great.

Edited January 20, 201213 yr by SAmadei

You thought you were going to pass emissions with a hollowed out cat? ..... in PA?...

Sorry, Camino, I'm having a good laugh at your expense on this logic, as well. ;-)

Good to hear that you're pretty much all fixed up again and the Taho is running great.

Meh, I had nothing to lose by making the attempt - still irritates me that I had to replace a perfectly good Y pipe and O2 sensor.

My only concern now is a recurring Check engine light that didn't clear when I disconnected the battery. Hopefully it is an old code set earlier in this process that just needs to be cleared.

I dug into the Tahoe's distributor today ( I'm running the one from Mothertruck), and I'm surprised this thing worked at all. As suspected, the pickup coil is toast. Unfortunately, the reluctor is bad too - it is rusted and cracked. Also, it was all I could do to get the thing apart as it was severely gummed-up. The pickup coil had an obvious meltdown and the insulation on both leads is cracked. I'll be ordering a new reluctor and giving the whole thing a good cleaning so that I can get Mothertruck up and running again.

I may post a few pics later.