OK so my last post got deleted. But long story short I heard a weird sound coming from my engine back in October and I took it to my friends shop and he said it was the timing chain. I took apart the engine and saw that the timing chain guides and tensioner were messed up so I replaced them and put the engine back together. I have left over bolts and I didn't put the power steering bracket back on and I will as soon as I find out where it goes. When I try to start my truck it acts like it is going to turn over but then doesn't. Also the alternator doesn't work. So my question is does anyone have any idea on what could be the problem so I can try to fix it myself and not have to take it to a shop because I am 18 and unemployed and I don't want to take it to a shop unless I absolutely have to.

 

Your alternator has to be working to supply power the the battery and ignition system, otherwise your truck won`t start. Are you sure you got the timming marks lined up properly before you put everything back together ?, if not it won`t start and you will bend the valves because they will hit the pistons.

 

does it try to turn over, but not? from the limited info, if it sounds like it does try to turn over, but like you have a weak sounding battery, then I would
say it is starter.

 

And hopefully you have the cam timed and got the distributor installed correctly.

 

"When I try to start my truck it acts like it is going to turn over but then doesn't" "So my question is does anyone have any idea on what could be the problem"

The problem is we can't help you. It is like saying 'my knee hurts, what is wrong with it', could be a scratch, graze, dislocation, torn ligament etc etc...i know we are no doctors but you get my point.

You need to trace to where the problem lies....Is it fuel, is it air, is it compression, is it timing, or is it an electrical fault.

Usually if a problem comes up just after you have done/have had work done the work that was performed is most likely your problem. It is always easiest to do the simple checks first, work in a process that tells you what it can't be and move forward from there. Ie...check fuel pump, if fuel is supplied check spark, if spark is supplied check compression. If you have those 3 either your timing is out or your starter is weak. Check your starter for good voltage and if it does not fire then your timing is most likely out. Obviously I am being very brief, but it is the logical thinking ability that helps you diagnose problems not questions with very limited information.

 

well i talked to my friend and he said that the timing is off so im going to pull the valve cover off and time it.

 

lets hope it wasn't off enough to cause pistion slap with the valves...