Newb help solving engine issue
Racer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 425
Likes: 3
From: Jefferson City Missouri
I can't tell the difference between points and HEI... So, in 1976, they didn't do points. I'd like to verify that. I'm going to go ahead and get a new distributor cap kit, plugs/wires and fuel filter. In the meantime, is this an HEI distributor?
While you are replacing the wires, don't make the rookie mistake of yanking all of them and then trying to figure out which one goes to which plug (I've seen that done a few times over the years)
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 340
Likes: 2
From: Port Washington WI
I would buy genuine GM parts while you're at it. Don't get me wrong, Corvette Central is a great supplier. I buy from them all the time, but for ignition I'd stick with the OEM parts.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 105
Likes: 3
From: Madison AL
Hum... I didn't replace the capacitor because I just came back to this thread. lol No worries, I'm getting good at taking that distributor apart. I changed the rotor cap, rotor and fuel filter and it didn't make any change to the issue. Next step is to change out the plugs as someone here suggested.
I do have a question about the gas I used though. I put in super unleaded for the higher octane. It occurred to me that maybe that could be causing the issue being that older engines may not be able to handle it. Should I just be using regular and would it be even better to use gas with no ethanol in it?
Thanks again for all your suggestions.
I do have a question about the gas I used though. I put in super unleaded for the higher octane. It occurred to me that maybe that could be causing the issue being that older engines may not be able to handle it. Should I just be using regular and would it be even better to use gas with no ethanol in it?
Thanks again for all your suggestions.
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 37
From: Catoosa Okla
I'll share with you tidbit taught to me by an OLD mechanic many, many years ago. This simple theory has saved me countless hrs in diagnostic time. Here you go.
It takes ONLY 3 things for your engine to run. Fuel, fire, and timing. Yours is an HEI system. If a module goes, it's dead and wont start. If you suspect timing advance the timing. (Counter clockwise) until it pings under acceleration, then back it off until the ping stops under acceleration. From what you've shared im thinking carb related.
It takes ONLY 3 things for your engine to run. Fuel, fire, and timing. Yours is an HEI system. If a module goes, it's dead and wont start. If you suspect timing advance the timing. (Counter clockwise) until it pings under acceleration, then back it off until the ping stops under acceleration. From what you've shared im thinking carb related.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 105
Likes: 3
From: Madison AL
Thank you Patro46. Those are great words of advice. I'm thinking I'm just going to start looking for a mechanic that can adjust or rebuild the carburetor. I'm sure it needs it anyway. I have nightmare still of adjusting a 2 barrel carburetor on a Ford Mustang and don't think I'm up for this. lol I'll be sure to post back what we find after we get it running right. Again, I really appreciate all the help from this forum.
Any recommendations on where I might be able to send this off for a rebuild?
Any recommendations on where I might be able to send this off for a rebuild?
Last edited by mijohnst; Mar 1, 2014 at 09:55 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 105
Likes: 3
From: Madison AL
Hey all, I just wanted to get back to you on this. Patro46 was spot on. Talking to a friend he said I should start looking for a vacuum leak. Using starter fluid I was able to see that the hose going into the air filter wasn't secure. I replaced the hose and low and behold the engine started running right. Actually it's seems to be running be better then before since I changed out the fuel filter and the distributor parts. So, thanks very much for your help. This was a good lesson to learn.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 37
From: Catoosa Okla
Hey all, I just wanted to get back to you on this. Patro46 was spot on. Talking to a friend he said I should start looking for a vacuum leak. Using starter fluid I was able to see that the hose going into the air filter wasn't secure. I replaced the hose and low and behold the engine started running right. Actually it's seems to be running be better then before since I changed out the fuel filter and the distributor parts. So, thanks very much for your help. This was a good lesson to learn.
