Looking for "local" help with engine diagnostics
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Bourbonnais IL
Looking for "local" help with engine diagnostics
I'm hoping to find someone somewhat local willing to help me with some diagnostics on my '74 vette 350 engine. It's only got 27,900 miles, but boy does it sound blah. It acts like it's just whooped. Unfortuatetly I'm a hacker when it comes to engines. I can maintain the hell out of one, but struggle when things go wrong.
I'm in the Kankakee, IL area, about 50 miles south of Chicago. Anyone willing to do a drive by and check it out would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to get involved with some other local vette lovers.
I'm in the Kankakee, IL area, about 50 miles south of Chicago. Anyone willing to do a drive by and check it out would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to get involved with some other local vette lovers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 44
From: Macon, GA
Well odds may not be in your favor to find someone locally, but we promise to try to help you diagnose and repair it if you can give us some detailed info (assuming you know the difference between a wrench and a socket). 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Inside distributor, beneath rotor:
*Check Mechanical advance; verify it articulates freely (spray WD40 works OK).
*Check Vacuum advance; verify diaphragm has no leak & articulates.
If it has OE exhaust manifolds ... check passenger side heat damper ... ensure it does open fully when motor at op temp.
*Check Mechanical advance; verify it articulates freely (spray WD40 works OK).
*Check Vacuum advance; verify diaphragm has no leak & articulates.
If it has OE exhaust manifolds ... check passenger side heat damper ... ensure it does open fully when motor at op temp.
Last edited by jackson; Mar 23, 2009 at 05:38 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Bourbonnais IL
Distributor troubleshooting
Ah yes, you've touched on the one item I new I'd eventually have to look at. Although you guys know this stuff like the back of your hand, the distributor kicks my ***. It's probably not as bad as I think. I'm afraid of doing more harm than good.
The previous owner said he had a Chevy dealer replace or work on the distributor a few years ago. He said it's never been the same. Unfortunately I don't know why he had the work done to begin with.
I'll check the stuff you recommended and go from there.
The previous owner said he had a Chevy dealer replace or work on the distributor a few years ago. He said it's never been the same. Unfortunately I don't know why he had the work done to begin with.
I'll check the stuff you recommended and go from there.
