High rev engine studder
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 68
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From: Oklahoma City OK
High rev engine studder
complete engine rebuild of 73 L82
new:
pistons,rings,polished crank,oil pump,cam,lifters,timing chain,fuel pump,manifold, new carb, rebuilt original heads.....lots of money as you can see. Unfortunately it still doesn't run right. Took it for its first run following Sallee Chevrolet engine breakin suggestions. It ran great. Out for about 30 mins then back home. Next time the first 15 mins was good then it just wasn't quite right. Tried adjusting the timing and went out again. Much better again for the first 15mins or so then boom, I've got no tach reading and it's running bad again. Well the tach cable was froze up and busted, replaced that but still couldn't get it timed and running right. Gave up and took it to a local garage. They said the petronix distributer was bad and I was getting crossfire with the plug wires. Replace the distributor with an MSD as the previous owner was already using an MSD 6a box. Replaced plug wires and it's much better. However...
Starts great, runs well until I get to about 2700-3500 rpm in any gear. When crusing at this rpm speed I have for lack of a better discription "engine studder" If I put my foot in it I don't notice it, and at lower rpm I don't notice it. What could be wrong ? So much money and it still doesn't run right UGH !!
new:
pistons,rings,polished crank,oil pump,cam,lifters,timing chain,fuel pump,manifold, new carb, rebuilt original heads.....lots of money as you can see. Unfortunately it still doesn't run right. Took it for its first run following Sallee Chevrolet engine breakin suggestions. It ran great. Out for about 30 mins then back home. Next time the first 15 mins was good then it just wasn't quite right. Tried adjusting the timing and went out again. Much better again for the first 15mins or so then boom, I've got no tach reading and it's running bad again. Well the tach cable was froze up and busted, replaced that but still couldn't get it timed and running right. Gave up and took it to a local garage. They said the petronix distributer was bad and I was getting crossfire with the plug wires. Replace the distributor with an MSD as the previous owner was already using an MSD 6a box. Replaced plug wires and it's much better. However...
Starts great, runs well until I get to about 2700-3500 rpm in any gear. When crusing at this rpm speed I have for lack of a better discription "engine studder" If I put my foot in it I don't notice it, and at lower rpm I don't notice it. What could be wrong ? So much money and it still doesn't run right UGH !!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
I would bet $1000000 you distributor points plate grounding wire has broken and failed and now the only grounding path for the Pertronix unit is through the distributor housing with all it's grease and clearances. Take off the distributor cap. run a wire from the Pertronix mounting screw to a wire going through the cap window to the engine block for a new ground path. If this solves the problem, you need to tear down the distributor to remove the points plate and make a new ground wire connection to the housing. Let us know if this "fix" solves your problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Originally Posted by Solid LT1
I would bet $1000000 you distributor points plate grounding wire has broken and failed and now the only grounding path for the Pertronix unit is through the distributor housing with all it's grease and clearances. Take off the distributor cap. run a wire from the Pertronix mounting screw to a wire going through the cap window to the engine block for a new ground path. If this solves the problem, you need to tear down the distributor to remove the points plate and make a new ground wire connection to the housing. Let us know if this "fix" solves your problem.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Originally Posted by swallace
Solid LT1 - the petronix is sitting on the workbench, the MSD distributer is now in the car.
The plugs are brand new acdelco's.
The plugs are brand new acdelco's.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 68
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From: Oklahoma City OK
Sorry LT-1 never had it. The previous owner put in the petronix and although he gave me most of the original parts this wasn't one of them. Any other thoughts on the ssstudddder ?