My engine is running like crap.......aargh!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,863
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From: Here Kitty, kitty
My engine is running like crap.......aargh!
The motor in my 67 SS Camaro has been running like crap since it came back from the paint shop.
If you can help, please respond.
It is a 71 LT1 350, with about two hours on it total, the cam was broke in two years ago and for the last year it has been only started to get on and off the car trailer.
Everything is new on the motor, we just went through the carb.
Now the motor idles really rough, you can see the engine shake, when I take it for a drive it won't rev over 4K RPMs, sluggish take offs and a lot of vibration the exhaust doesn't smell really bad. A friend of mine says that it just needs to be run, but that doesn't seem to be working.
I checked and cleaned the spark plugs and checked the new wires both are OK.
Is it possible that I have some bent push rods? If so how could this happen?
I used the original ones and put Z28 springs in the heads when I built the motor. That is what I am leaning towards now.
If you can help, please respond.
It is a 71 LT1 350, with about two hours on it total, the cam was broke in two years ago and for the last year it has been only started to get on and off the car trailer.
Everything is new on the motor, we just went through the carb.
Now the motor idles really rough, you can see the engine shake, when I take it for a drive it won't rev over 4K RPMs, sluggish take offs and a lot of vibration the exhaust doesn't smell really bad. A friend of mine says that it just needs to be run, but that doesn't seem to be working.
I checked and cleaned the spark plugs and checked the new wires both are OK.
Is it possible that I have some bent push rods? If so how could this happen?
I used the original ones and put Z28 springs in the heads when I built the motor. That is what I am leaning towards now.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 7
From: Indiana
Re: My engine is running like crap.......aargh! (68 Roadster)
What type of ignition are you running? If points type, have you checked them as well as the cap and rotor? What about the plug wires? Are they new as well? Bent pushrods seem very unlikely.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
Likes: 7
From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: My engine is running like crap.......aargh! (68 Roadster)
Check your coil. I had a similar situation last year and found that I had corrosion built up in the top of the coil. Replaced coil and it ran great.
PS
Although you didn't mention it, is your car backfiring? If it is then you could have your lifters set too tight.
If your lifters are set correctly it will not allow the valves to close completely and make the car run terribly.
[Modified by Smokehouse69, 9:48 PM 8/14/2001]
PS
Although you didn't mention it, is your car backfiring? If it is then you could have your lifters set too tight.
If your lifters are set correctly it will not allow the valves to close completely and make the car run terribly.
[Modified by Smokehouse69, 9:48 PM 8/14/2001]
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,863
Likes: 0
From: Here Kitty, kitty
Re: My engine is running like crap.......aargh! (Smokehouse69)
I am running a GM HEI I bought that new when I put the motor together.
I will go check the coil and see if maybe moisture has caused some corrosion or something.
I will go check the coil and see if maybe moisture has caused some corrosion or something.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: las vegas
Re: My engine is running like crap.......aargh! (68 Roadster)
Is it possible the paint shop might have taken your car for a little test drive and floated the valves(bent pushrods)? The paint shop that my buddys corvette is in, well they have to hide the keys to the vettes that come in cause the owners son likes to take little test drives with the customers cars!
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: phoenix az
Re: My engine is running like crap.......aargh! (a smith)
sounds fishy, ran fine when it went in, runs like crap when it came out? do a compression check. Its quick and it can eliminate mechanical problems. I had a big block that seized a valve a few hundred miles after install.
