Way over due for a tune up now so this will be the first one since purchased. Im going over in my head how to work everything. What is the ignition system setup like for a Vortec 350 V8? (1998 Chevrolet K1500 Ext. Cab w/Z71 and towingpkg). I can see the plug wires comming from the back of the engine but it looks like its comming from a distributor. I thought this engine didnt use a distributor? You'd think it wouldnt since it is electronic fuel injected and is a Vortec version of the 350.


BTW this is the same exact engine setup used in the first Escalades.

No takers?

What do you plan on tuning up? How many miles are on it?

If you have 100K plus miles, I'd do the following:

Flush the brake fluid
Change plugs
Change wires
Change coolant hoses and coolant
Flush cooling system
Clean the throttle body
Replace the fuel filter


Beyond that, I'd drive it. Emissions stuff will start to crap out on you. But I would wait until they do. Sensors are easy to replace (o2, coolant temp, EGR temp, etc)

EGR valve may need to be removed, cleaned, or replaced. But again, I'd wait until the car threw a light.

You may see your injectors start to leak. This is easy to fix, if you're even mildly handy. Rich, at Cruizinperformance.com, can balance and blueprint your injectors to better than new condition for less than $100. This beats buying new.

If you want to go crazy, you can preemptively address common high mile issues.

I did this with my C4 Corvette. Here's what I attacked:

The above list +

Cam and lifters (small block Chevys are hard on their cams)
Water pump
Fuel pump
Ignition module
Balance and Blueprint injectors
EGR
EGR temp sensor
Knock sensor
Coolant sensors
Valve seals and locks
Valve springs
New intake and valve cover gaskets
R&R the valve covers to new (purely for looks)
Cap and Rotor
U-joints

This all started because my fuel pump went bad, and I didn't want a project, every other weekend, as stuff went bad. For me, it was easier to do a quick refurb, all at once. The parts were less than $800. The labor was free. It would cost more than $4000, easily, to have a pro do the above. And a lot of my stuff has a lifetime warranty.

You may want to do the same, or just tackle the stuff as it comes.

As far as ignition, I believe your engine uses a traditional distributor cap with an electronic ignition module (HEI).

Well the list is...

1. Wires / Plugs
2. Air Filter
3. Distributor / Timing *check*
4. New Brakes (Will involve new fluid)
5. o2 sensors if gas millage is not improved
6. Clean the throttle body.
7. FULL (performance :lildevil: ) exhaust job, various very small holes making it sound like it lost compression. Now that I think about it, will want to check compression too!
8. Oil Change.
9. New Shocks (bilsteins have lasted 97+ thousand miles and still feel OK)
10. Front steering tightening/new parts

Coolant already been done, it needed a new water pump not too long ago. Hoses are good also. It will need fuel system work, the pump was loud in Minnesota (moved to Florida 1 yr ago) and when we moved, it quieted down. Probably needs a new filter and will check out the pump.

Thought about selling the beast, but decided to now keep it and soup it up... cams, headers, exhaust, the works; including a supercharger. This will be in the future though.

Joeveto - You're sight is a good one! great tricks for one man service procedures, Thanks.


Jeff - Have to agree with Joeveto's parts and procedures. Pretty much what I've done on an '86 Brougham with a carburetor.

Enjoy

Um, as you know i have a 1994 chevy blazer, 350. It does have a distributor. The distributor has nothing to do with the EFI. It just means that the computer assists the fuel injection because ours are the first EFI years. Im gonna go outside and see where the starter is and everything. I love the engine bay in my truck. Its made for the diesel so that my 350 motor fits in with room to spare.

Everything is nice and tight in my truck. Starter is on the back wall. Which goes to the Distributor, then to the cap.