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1978 L-82 Vacuum Reading

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Old Jun 11, 2015 | 08:18 PM
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Default 1978 L-82 Vacuum Reading

Guys I was wondering if yaw'l could look at my vacuum readings and make some recommendations. Vacuum system is tight. Intake gasket replaced. Distributor restored and recurved by Mark Saunders Paramount Distributors in Michigan. Quadrajet restored by Cliff Ruggles. A.I.R. pump belt removed and vac lined plugged. Heat riser removed. It was annoying! Proper dual exhaust by Allen Stainless.

AC off

AC On


Known issue: Carbon build up in intake valves. I noticed this when I replaced the intake gasket.
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Old Jun 11, 2015 | 08:28 PM
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Try advancing the timing 3 degrees
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Old Jun 11, 2015 | 08:33 PM
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If you have a performance cam, that is about right for vac but if its stock, you're a little low. A tight valve would have it bouncing around and a vac leak in the intake gaskets would make idling very difficult. It does sound like it's working hard. That's why I suggested advancing the timing and it should bump the vac up 1 or 2 points.
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Old Jun 11, 2015 | 08:54 PM
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As far as I know the cam is stock. I'm the third owner. Bought the car in 1997 with only 9,859 miles on it. Yes I remember that number well. It now has 49,000 miles.

I have often wondered whether or not the original owner installed a little beefier cam.

I have the timing set to the factory recommendation on the emissions sticker. 12 degrees at 900 rpm with vac advance disconnected.

My advance curve is not stock it was optimized by Paramount Distributors. I assume an extra 3 degrees would not hurt. I can set it to 15 and see what happens. I will post some full throttle blips. The vac reading shoots to somewhere between 26 and 30 on deceleration.
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Old Jun 11, 2015 | 09:06 PM
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Were the carb mixture screws adjusted for highest vacuum?
PCV connected?
Vac advance connected (to full time vacuum)?

Def try advancing timing!
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Old Jun 11, 2015 | 09:47 PM
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Originally Posted by mikem350
Were the carb mixture screws adjusted for highest vacuum?
PCV connected?
Vac advance connected (to full time vacuum)?

Def try advancing timing!

The restored carb has been back in service about a year. I recall adjusting the idle mixture when I reinstalled it. I can check it again for max vac. I'll do that this weekend.

PCV was connected and working as it should I assume. Further thoughts there?

I advanced the timing 3 degrees JUST NOW. It seemed to increase the vac by 1/2 to 1 inch of Hg. It is hovering more over the 17 inch Hg line on the gauge now than it was. I certainly would like for it to be up around 20.

I fear this car needs a valve job. The carb had all the typical Quadrajet issues. (Leaky bowls, leaky air horn, etc...) That is why I sent it to Cliff.

When I changed the intake gasket I did notice that the EGR passages were completely clogged. I cleaned it up really good before reinstalling it.

I assume the carb issues lead to all the carbon build up.

I've run Sea Foam through the carb a couple of times and I ran a little water through it too.

My whole goal is a nice strong idle while the AC is on in hot weather.

I replaced the OEM timing set for an all metal one about 3 years ago.

Another test drive tomorrow after advancing the timing may tell a new story.
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Old Jun 11, 2015 | 11:02 PM
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16" Hg is about normal for a stock engine so I would recommend doing absolutely NOTHING. Its not unusual for a vacuum gauge to slowly fluctuate a Hg or so because changing rpm will also change the Hg. Close the hood and enjoy your ride..................
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Old Jun 12, 2015 | 10:37 AM
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79 L82, stock, proper timing and mixture, 16 at idle, AC off
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Old Jun 12, 2015 | 10:56 AM
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Speaking of EGR, Make sure there is no vacuum at idle to the EGR valve. Or, try disconnecting and plug the line
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Old Jun 12, 2015 | 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by mikem350
Speaking of EGR, Make sure there is no vacuum at idle to the EGR valve. Or, try disconnecting and plug the line
Or a sticking EGR valve... A car that's been babied often builds up carbon in the EGR port and soon makes the valve stick open a little. Good call Mike!
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Old Jun 12, 2015 | 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by mikem350
Speaking of EGR, Make sure there is no vacuum at idle to the EGR valve. Or, try disconnecting and plug the line
Inspected the EGR for proper operation recently. Am amazed the stock EGR valve still works properly.
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Old Jun 12, 2015 | 03:08 PM
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Thanks for the responses gents. I guess it's not so bad.
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Old Jul 26, 2015 | 10:14 PM
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I bumped the timing up 3 degrees to 15. The vacuum reading is pretty much the same but the car runs SO much better.
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Old Jul 26, 2015 | 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Jet Tech
79 L82, stock, proper timing and mixture, 16 at idle, AC off
Thanks for the confirmation Jet Tech.
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