What Happened ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Cherry Hill N.J.
What Happened ?
Hi guys;
What could have gone bad with my stock '77 ?
I was driving along at about 50 mph when the engine started missing as if it was running on 7 cylinders. If you got on it it would stumble and shake as the speed increased . Prior to this everything was purring like a happy cat.
I've checked timing, wires,plugs and all seem to be OK.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions to cure the problem
What could have gone bad with my stock '77 ?
I was driving along at about 50 mph when the engine started missing as if it was running on 7 cylinders. If you got on it it would stumble and shake as the speed increased . Prior to this everything was purring like a happy cat.
I've checked timing, wires,plugs and all seem to be OK.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions to cure the problem
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 709
Likes: 10
From: Carlsbad CA
could be bad plug wires.
Do the cheap test method. After dark (with garage lights, etc. off) open the hood with the enging running. If you see a light show, the plug wires are bad causing the miss fires.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Greenville SC
Dealing with the same thing lately due to sitting all winter. Put in two cans of Heet dry gas and it went away.
If it idles poorly or not at all too, likely the fuel considering things were okay before.
If it idles poorly or not at all too, likely the fuel considering things were okay before.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I wonder if there might not be something wrong with your distributor, timing chain, cam or valvetrain.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Cherry Hill N.J.
Thanks for the tip on octane......Tomorrow i'm pulling valve covers to check rocker arms.......I think one might have worn and messed up the valve train. There seems to be a loud ticking or clatter on the right side.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 5
From: Japan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
A cam lobe won't die suddenly- it will slowly go away. I'd suspect either a rocker failed or a valve spring broke. Either one is no cause for alarm. the usual failure is on the exhaust side. If it is, swap a good intake rocker over to the spot of the failed on, then put a new on in that intake spot. Reason? Intakes run cooler and the rocker/ball will be able to seat without burning.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Hope everything turns out ok. Same thing happened to me a few years back. I was driving my 68 Firebird 400 vert, all was right w/the world. I was doing 80 at 3500rpm's and took an off ramp stopped at the light when I heard the self destruction take place.
If you need to rebuild or replace I have a great guy off ex98 in Belmar. He built my motor, Bobs77vette's motor & a few other's. Send me a PM if you like his name & number. (you can't beat his price)
Jim
If you need to rebuild or replace I have a great guy off ex98 in Belmar. He built my motor, Bobs77vette's motor & a few other's. Send me a PM if you like his name & number. (you can't beat his price)
Jim
Cruising
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: friendswood Tx
like you said i was driving around and my 75 started missing and shaking
it was the gasket under the carb it was leaking you could hear it sucking air changed the gasket and the problem went away
it was the gasket under the carb it was leaking you could hear it sucking air changed the gasket and the problem went away
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Cherry Hill N.J.
Thanks to all who replied.........Pulled valve cover on passenger side
and found #8 exhaust valve spring had broken. I was lucky as the valve did not drop into cylinder(keeper held). After I get parts replaced I will know for sure that was what caused my problem.
and found #8 exhaust valve spring had broken. I was lucky as the valve did not drop into cylinder(keeper held). After I get parts replaced I will know for sure that was what caused my problem.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Even called the exhaust side.