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71 LS5 not accelerating

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Old Mar 5, 2024 | 04:20 PM
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Default 71 LS5 not accelerating

Specs:
4 speed trans.
71 LS5 pretty much stock other than a mild roller cam.
Dist overhauled, timing, dwell set.
Clean stock plugs and new plug harness.
Carb just back from Lars and installed.
Stock exhaust
The engine was built about nine years ago by a very reputable builder and ran very well on the dyno 398hp and 470 torque.
This car only has a few road miles since frame on restoration.

My issue is the engine is flat and doesn’t pick up rpm as it should. The carb was overhauled by Lars about eight years ago so I recently sent it back after finding a fair amount of debris in the filter at the carb fuel inlet. After today’s test drive it’s still not picking up rpm as it should. It has a new fuel tank and it looks clear. It has a fairly new fuel pump on the car but I haven’t verified fuel pressure and flow. I’m not sure what direction to go next.
KC

Last edited by grumman41; Mar 5, 2024 at 09:10 PM.
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Old Mar 5, 2024 | 08:10 PM
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Auto or standard?
M
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Old Mar 5, 2024 | 08:35 PM
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Nine year old engine? I vote for bad fuel pump.
Check there first.
They just do not seem to hold up well to today's ethanol gas.
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Old Mar 5, 2024 | 09:13 PM
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It’s a 4 speed trans. What is the symptoms of a failed or failing fuel pump? I made an effort to use non ethanol fuel but may have had some in it. I thought fuel pumps usually fail and the engine quits, not runs poorly?
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Old Mar 5, 2024 | 09:21 PM
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Have you put a timing light on it and verified the ignition timing is advancing with RPM?
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Old Mar 5, 2024 | 10:39 PM
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Need a better description of what is happening.
a bad fuel pump will cause gas too, run out, during high revs/loads and not deliver what engine needs.

I am trying to under stand your issue.
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Old Mar 6, 2024 | 04:35 AM
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The timing and advance are correct.
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Old Mar 6, 2024 | 05:13 AM
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OK, that was vague. Your ign timing is hitting what degrees at what maximum RPM? Your vacuum advance is tipping at what level of vacuum and is all in at how many inches of vacuum? Your engine idle vacuum is what?
As in. 18 degrees initial. 36 degress all in at 2,900 RPM. vac can tips at 7 inches, all in at 12 inches.12 degrees total vacuum advance. Engine idle vacuum is 14.5 inches at 850 RPM.
This would be helpful for helping you.
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Old Mar 6, 2024 | 05:19 AM
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Originally Posted by grumman41
The timing and advance are correct.
I guess what I'm trying to say here is "Who's correct " ?
correct to what engine?
Your's?
Then why doesn't your engine rev out?
We need a LOT more information to truly guide you.
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Old Mar 6, 2024 | 05:47 AM
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Have you verified you are getting full throttle from pedal and cable?
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Old Mar 6, 2024 | 07:31 AM
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With a 400HP BBC that thing should run mid 13s at 103MPH .
With an auto.
In drive.
With 308s.
With the A/C on.
It might not rev like a SBC, but it should GO!
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Old Mar 6, 2024 | 07:41 AM
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What is the timing at now? Does it increase with RPM and end up at 36+ degrees? If not....that's a problem.....
Short of a restricted fuel flow....there is really nothing else that can cause what you are describing.....

EDIT: Does this car still have the heat riser? And is it open?

Jebby

Last edited by Jebbysan; Mar 6, 2024 at 08:12 AM.
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Old Mar 6, 2024 | 10:44 AM
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Since you've had @lars sort out the carb twice, did you also read, and follow, his timing instructions?

What is your timing set to, and how do you know?
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Old Mar 6, 2024 | 10:44 AM
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This does have the original heat riser(not verified opening correct), 36 degrees of timing all in by 2500rpm.
4 Vettes, I haven’t checked idle vacuum or vacuum when the advance comes in.

Yes, I have followed Lars papers for setting timing.
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Old Mar 6, 2024 | 10:52 AM
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In that case, I'd check your vac advance (won't matter at WOT), and make sure that heat riser is pinned open, or deleted.
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Old Mar 6, 2024 | 10:59 AM
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Pretty easy to tell if it is shut when cold......a massive amount comes out of the left pipe and very little out of the right.......after warm up both pipes should be even.....if not, that is 100% what it is.....

Jebby
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Old Mar 6, 2024 | 11:11 AM
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Ok, I’ll check or wire open that heat riser. Is it possible to install that upside down?
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Old Mar 6, 2024 | 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by grumman41
Ok, I’ll check or wire open that heat riser. Is it possible to install that upside down?
I think so but it would have given you problems from the start......

Jebby
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Old Mar 6, 2024 | 11:47 AM
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Pull the distributor cap and rotor and verify the advance weights are not stuck.
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Old Mar 6, 2024 | 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by 68post
Pull the distributor cap and rotor and verify the advance weights are not stuck.
A timing light will show this, too (and the vacuum advance). That's how I discovered that my original dist was shot.
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