I have an 87 K5 w/ 350 TBI -5.7l that hasn't run since I purchased it as a project. I have changed the fuel pump and more recently replaced the cap, rotor, wires and plugs in order to get it started.
Today, I bumped the ignition to determine the compression stroke on the #1 cylinder to confirm the location on the cap of the #1 wire. After resetting the cap on the distributor (no easy feat), the engine would turn over, though not start. However it did backfire from the exhaust while my daughter was turning it over.
I am lost as to what is the problem at this point.
Other actions to date:
-after changing the fuel pump and prior to changing the cap and rotor, the truck would start but not stay running. Afterwards no start...PERIOD.
-I used starter fluid in the carb/tbi and the truck will not start, which seems to indicate an ignition problem v a fuel problem.

Any suggestions?