Help! 78 Vette Engine issue
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 257
Likes: 36
I’d cut my losses and have another shop look at it. Do you have a Corvette club in your area? They can recommend a shop, or better yet have one of the guys take a look.
Hard to tell from the video, but if it’s rod knock you’ll need to pull the motor. I also have a 78, l48 and installed an Edebrock top end kit. I hammered it (as derekderek mentioned) and on the third run spun a rod bearing and ended up pulling the motor.
Good luck on resolving this.
Hard to tell from the video, but if it’s rod knock you’ll need to pull the motor. I also have a 78, l48 and installed an Edebrock top end kit. I hammered it (as derekderek mentioned) and on the third run spun a rod bearing and ended up pulling the motor.
Good luck on resolving this.
Last edited by hpxt; Nov 8, 2017 at 11:43 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Seeing this a lot of boats. Guy has it treats it pretty gentle 3500 RPM all the time. New guy buys it. Full Throttle 5,000 RPM. Engine Pops in less than a week. Complains that the guy sold him a boat with a bad engine. You want to drive it like a dragster? You need a new crankshaft in it-good bearings with correct clearances anyway. A tired engine with .005 or more will stay alive as a commuter-grocery-getter.
Last edited by derekderek; Nov 9, 2017 at 06:34 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
That could be associated with running the car while lean?
You might have something there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 789
Likes: 129
From: Los Banos CA
Yeah, after listening to your video, I wouldn't describe that as a 'popping' sound. It does sound more like something worse. To find a reputable shop in the Temecula area, I would start another thread with something to that effect in the title (not everybody here reads every single thread).
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
Yeah, after listening to your video, I wouldn't describe that as a 'popping' sound. It does sound more like something worse. To find a reputable shop in the Temecula area, I would start another thread with something to that effect in the title (not everybody here reads every single thread).
The shop overhauled my carburetor, gave me my car back with it running lean. Drove it back to the shop three times and this is what I get.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
UPDATE: I had my insurance send over a master technician to surmise what the hell happened. The tech came to my residence, and started looking at everything he could. He noted the carburetor was not adjusted properly (in fact it was running rich). He als noted the service to the carburetor was not complete and there were some linkage and valve issues... he tugged on the carburetor valve and I was leaking fuel (engine was off).
Furthermore, he hear an issue with the lifter on the engine over valve 6 and/or 7. Did a compression test with an old type of machine and found out the engine is failing the compression test. His diagnosis and the discover of blue and black smoke tends to think the engine is dying on its own due to age.
So... I need a new engine! This was the original 350 small block for my 78 vette and it was just its time. I found it all too convenient that it dies right after a visit from the corvette shop... but there you go.
Furthermore, he hear an issue with the lifter on the engine over valve 6 and/or 7. Did a compression test with an old type of machine and found out the engine is failing the compression test. His diagnosis and the discover of blue and black smoke tends to think the engine is dying on its own due to age.
So... I need a new engine! This was the original 350 small block for my 78 vette and it was just its time. I found it all too convenient that it dies right after a visit from the corvette shop... but there you go.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
My insurance sent over a master tech today and he took a look at the engine. He says it is an issue with the engine due to old age and that it fails the compression test.
Thanks
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
I found out why the vehicle is running rich... it disguises the popping. I believe my Holley carb has a power valve issue. Could this popping sound be the result of a power valve blowout?
I reviewed my invoice of what the insurance paid for repairs, and this shop charged over $600 to overhaul my Holley Carb... that is robbery! Anyway... the engine has issues now because of the can running lean... piston rings damaged and oil leaking through valve guides causing me to blow white smoke. Anyone know of a Corvette Shop in Temecula or what steps I can take to get my money back on this carb?
I reviewed my invoice of what the insurance paid for repairs, and this shop charged over $600 to overhaul my Holley Carb... that is robbery! Anyway... the engine has issues now because of the can running lean... piston rings damaged and oil leaking through valve guides causing me to blow white smoke. Anyone know of a Corvette Shop in Temecula or what steps I can take to get my money back on this carb?