79 running ROUGH!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: Up North ;-) Alabama
79 running ROUGH!
My 79 L46 is running rough...doesn't want to go-go :-(
The PO said that it had set up for almost a year. The PO also rebuilt the engine and it has approx 500 miles on rebuild. When we went to test drive it they had run it down to empty
The see-thru filter appears to be fairly new and clean but I am thinking they have sucked some trash up in it. I have also noticed some visible cracks in my plug wires.
He also replaced the original carb with an edelbrock.
It is rough starting and will occasionally die until you start to go then it is fine. If you kick it it is notably missing, runs smooth once you get up around 50-60. If you punch it from there it protests with more missing.
I also smell gas, but I have not seen any leaks. I did read a couple of threads on here that had great suggestions.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions
The PO said that it had set up for almost a year. The PO also rebuilt the engine and it has approx 500 miles on rebuild. When we went to test drive it they had run it down to empty
The see-thru filter appears to be fairly new and clean but I am thinking they have sucked some trash up in it. I have also noticed some visible cracks in my plug wires.He also replaced the original carb with an edelbrock.
It is rough starting and will occasionally die until you start to go then it is fine. If you kick it it is notably missing, runs smooth once you get up around 50-60. If you punch it from there it protests with more missing.
I also smell gas, but I have not seen any leaks. I did read a couple of threads on here that had great suggestions.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions
Last edited by rebelee08; Mar 19, 2012 at 10:52 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14,345
Likes: 4
From: Hartselle AL
St. Jude Donor '09
Suggest starting with the basics and least intrusive trouble shooting steps.
If plug wire(s) are cracked, pull and "read" the plugs. If one or more are not getting correct spark they will look different. Misfires will be more noticeable at idle/low rpms.
Check for vacuum problems/leaks by spraying some carb cleaner on the connections, hoses and base of carb. Vacuum leaks at low rpm will significantly effect timing advance. The GM engineer who designed the C3 vacuum system should have been strung up by the heels.
If plug wire(s) are cracked, pull and "read" the plugs. If one or more are not getting correct spark they will look different. Misfires will be more noticeable at idle/low rpms.
Check for vacuum problems/leaks by spraying some carb cleaner on the connections, hoses and base of carb. Vacuum leaks at low rpm will significantly effect timing advance. The GM engineer who designed the C3 vacuum system should have been strung up by the heels.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: Up North ;-) Alabama
Thanks!
My husband and our friend pulled the plugs today, I had one plug that was bad. It has AC Delco plugs in it, he said the rest of them looked fine...so that was probably the culprit. 
thanks
I'll pick up some carb cleaner while I'm there ;-)
thanksI'll pick up some carb cleaner while I'm there ;-)
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14,345
Likes: 4
From: Hartselle AL
St. Jude Donor '09
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...+cap+%26+rotor
You will have to transfer the coil from the top of your existing cap. IIRC, also use some dielectric grease on the connections. Can't remember is a small tube is supplied with the new cap.
While the cap is off pull up and down on the rotor to check for movement. My original distributor had gotten worn needing shims. Most will be ok, but it is something to check.
Last edited by BTAL; Mar 20, 2012 at 10:54 AM.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14,345
Likes: 4
From: Hartselle AL
St. Jude Donor '09
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 245
Likes: 40
From: Hollister, California
The same thing happened to me and my 75. Turned out to a lot of vacuum leaks and a spark plug wire came off and blew a bunch of unspent fuel into the exhaust system. The car would smell up the garage all night. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: Up North ;-) Alabama
update
Found out that different brands of plug wires come in different lengths...who knew :-)
The old ones needed to be replaced since they had a few minor cracks and Bubba had zip tied them to other parts of my car to keep them in place...yeah also my reaction
Purchased wire looms but that would not work because the wires were not long enough to reach...live and learn
The old ones needed to be replaced since they had a few minor cracks and Bubba had zip tied them to other parts of my car to keep them in place...yeah also my reaction
Purchased wire looms but that would not work because the wires were not long enough to reach...live and learn
