Somebody please give me some advice

[CamaroAdam73]

Brougham, it's actually the stock small cap HEI that came with this 305 (also stock to the car). And yeah i already purchased a brand new procomp HEI distributor 😛, my main problem right now is that i get no ignition, it's acting like the key cylinder is broken, when i turn the key nothing happens, but i know i'm getting power because i can still turn my headlights on.

I should have an answer to why im not getting ignition by tomorrow, does anybody know how to remove the key cylinder in the steering column?

 

[pontiacgp]

if the cylinder rotates and there is a little resistance when you turn the key that that is probably not the problem...the cylinder only locks the column and by was of a cam triggers the ignition switch with a rod...the switch is located on the top of the steering column just below the covering for your steering column

 

[CamaroAdam73]

You guys are awesome, One more question, how do i get that cover off? I've got the steering wheel and turn signal control taken off, but i don't know how to get the cover off?

 

[pontiacgp]

are you talking about the lock cover?...if you are there is a tool that screws onto the shaft where the bolt for the steering wheel goes...that tool has a u shape with the arms pointed down so when you turn the tool onto the threaded shaft it pushes the lock plate down allowing you to remove the recessed ring on the shaft that holds the lock plate in place...

 

[DRIVEN]

I know I'm going to come off sounding like a complete dick here, but I want you to hear me out first. I just read your entire post beginning to end. You are going about this like a tweaker. Stop. Step back and take a deep breath.
1. Your engine is to the point where repair is more expensive than replacement. Cam is flat and heads (which don't match your "combination" anyway) are damaged. Wouldn't you be better off - financially - looking for a used, complete, running 350 that already has some of the parts you want? An in-car cam swap is a b*tch. It's easier to just pull the motor. So you are half way to an engine swap anyway.
2. You have been running in 20 directions, replacing parts and rewiring things but I haven't seen any TESTING.
3. Think about what you want to end up with. You want a non-computer controlled cruiser? Than why do you have the EFI distributor that needs a ECM to function?
4. Your car won't start. It sounds to me (by your description) that the alternator is toast. How long did you expect to run on the battery alone? Once the battery voltage falls to a certain point it can't fire the coil. I saw no mention of charging the battery or pulling the alternator or starter to have them tested. You just started "rewiring" and replacing parts.
You are in over your head. DO NOT try to drive this car 900 miles as it is. Several members have given you good advise. Just slow down and think things through before you act. We all want to help you but it's hard for us to do when we can't see, hear or touch your car. I think you need to find someone locally who knows what they are doing. Just because you have a buddy with tools doesn't mean he can help your situation. For the love of God, don't just blindly "do stuff". You're only making more work.
Sermon concluded.

 

[JESSE]

start

well here we go again....that dist. your messing with is not the dist you need ...that dist is for a tbi set up.....if it was in your car all you have to do is look on your frame for a inline fuel filter...if you find one.. then you'll know for sure....jesse

 

[CamaroAdam73]

Well, i appreciate the advice, but I'm not just blindly going about this, I've been testing things i just haven't been keeping everyone here completely updated, And i realized that I'm in over my head because it seems like when i fix one problem another one starts.

I did test the alternator and came to the conclusion that it was bad, and replaced it.

My starter wasn't completely bad but it needed to be replaced, and i've already done so.

As for the re-wiring of the front end, the stock wiring harness was in such bad condition when i bought the car that some of my ignition wires where bare, and there where multiple other problems with the wiring in the front end, we cleaned it up allot.

Now about the cost of repair to replacement, I've considered this but it's probably going to weigh out for me better to keep this engine, i've already got a good start, the bottom end of this engine is in good shape, and has less than 4000 miles on it, As for the top end it's not going to cost me nearly as much as i thought to rebuild what's left to be rebuilt.


And jesse, which distributor are you talking about? If you're talking about the one i took pictures of, That's the one I'm assuming was stock, i bought the car with that engine setup already and I've been hard pressed to find any helpful information on the stock specs of my car.

 

[JESSE]

help

are you saying that the car was running with a carb on it?

 

[pontiacgp]

adam...way back when you said you have a 350 with 305 heads. It't be a waste of money to have those heads rebuilt. IMO you should find some nicely used 350 vortec heads..

 

[DRIVEN]

I knew it was going to come across harsh. Not how I meant it. We all want to help you figure this out. It's really helpful if you keep us updated and don't leave anything out. That's why I got the impression you were "throwing parts at it".
It appears that the previous owner kinda left you with a mess. Has it ever run right while you've had it? If your entire computer control system is not intact it will not run correctly. If it is partly missing and you are already running a carb, your easiest solution is to get an old style big-cap HEI. If you get it from a wrecking yard make sure it has a vacuum advance. There were some big-caps that were computer controlled (no vacuum can). This will only require one wire (ignition on) to work. Keep in mind - this will only solve your ignition problem. You can NOT tune away your cam problem. FWIW your cam probably went flat because it was not properly broken in. Make sure if you decide to replace it you break it in properly. I still think that a different engine is a better choice, but that's up to you. I agree with GP, vortec's would be an excellent choice. You would need a different intake, though. Keep us posted.