Bigblock engine troubles in Belgium
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: kampenhout vl
Bigblock engine troubles in Belgium
Hi everybody,I'm the proud owner of a 74 vette with an original 454 engine.
The car comes from Escondido (CA) together with the last 7 years history of repairs.The former owner had problems with a bad performing engine that never got solved and now I'm stuck with the problem.Engine starts normal but the stationary is unstable,after 4 to 5 minutes running a hard sound of ticking begins.Driving the car is like driving a 2HP citroën, the car has no power at all.At 2500 rpm the engine is blowing backwards throug the carb and in the exhaust you can hear a knocking sound.Timing is OK,plugwire OK,Dwell OK, could it be the cam? Julien
The car comes from Escondido (CA) together with the last 7 years history of repairs.The former owner had problems with a bad performing engine that never got solved and now I'm stuck with the problem.Engine starts normal but the stationary is unstable,after 4 to 5 minutes running a hard sound of ticking begins.Driving the car is like driving a 2HP citroën, the car has no power at all.At 2500 rpm the engine is blowing backwards throug the carb and in the exhaust you can hear a knocking sound.Timing is OK,plugwire OK,Dwell OK, could it be the cam? Julien
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Bigblock engine troubles in Belgium (bbvette74)
You need to find out which cylinders are firing. With headers it is easy. You can spray a little water on each pipe to see if the cylinder is firing or a dab of grease on each pipe tells the same thing. With cast iron I don't know if grease at each exhuast port would work or not. I have temperature crayons that you can draw a line with and tell the temperature.
Anyway some of your cylinders are not firing. It could be plugs, wires, improper valve setting, or bad carb dumping fuel and fouling a cylinder.
Can be a bad cylinder also. Compression check would also help tell which cylinders are bad.
I would go through everything starting with compression check, then running engine to figure out which cylinders are going dead.
Good luck. I wanted to start this thread hoping others would jump in and give opinions.
Anyway some of your cylinders are not firing. It could be plugs, wires, improper valve setting, or bad carb dumping fuel and fouling a cylinder.
Can be a bad cylinder also. Compression check would also help tell which cylinders are bad.
I would go through everything starting with compression check, then running engine to figure out which cylinders are going dead.
Good luck. I wanted to start this thread hoping others would jump in and give opinions.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
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From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Bigblock engine troubles in Belgium (bbvette74)
I agree with all of the other responders, but want to add that the hard ticking sound might be from a misadjusted hydraulic lifter. With the car running the way you describe, it could be many different things causing the problems.
As Norval suggested a compression test and a leak down test can give you an idea of what sort of problems you are having with the engine.
I think you might be our first member from Belgium, welcome to the Corvette Forum.
As Norval suggested a compression test and a leak down test can give you an idea of what sort of problems you are having with the engine.
I think you might be our first member from Belgium, welcome to the Corvette Forum.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
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From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: Bigblock engine troubles in Belgium (bbvette74)
Start by making sure the plug wires are in good condition AND are going to the right cylinders. . Then check the distributor cap and rotor. (if in doubt, replace them. REPLACE the points and condenser.. Make sure that the coil is wired correctly (- goes to the distributor.) Now see where the timing actually is. The dampener ring can slip. Another thing to check is the timing chain. The plastic teeth can strip and the valve timing will be off. When that happens it can run but very poorly with no power and plenty of back firing and popping.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
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From: NorCal
Re: Bigblock engine troubles in Belgium (bbvette74)
Sure sounds like a bad (broken) spring or a flat cam. Valve covers come off pretty easy on those (without A/C anyway), so pull them and take a look at the springs. Then, have someone crank it over with the coil disconnected and watch each rocker arm in turn. They should all move an equal amount when working properly. A flat lobe will barely move the rocker, and from your description, it'll be on an intake valve. The idea of testing the headers is a good one, and if you do it right after you fire it up, you can touch them with a damp finger to find the cold (inoperative) cylinder.
I really envy you being able to drive those fine european roads. My dream is to take my cars back to Switzerland for a just few months and just run the heck out of 'em. I'll have to hit the Lotto first...
Hans
[Modified by Wrencher, 3:18 PM 3/12/2003]
I really envy you being able to drive those fine european roads. My dream is to take my cars back to Switzerland for a just few months and just run the heck out of 'em. I'll have to hit the Lotto first...
Hans
[Modified by Wrencher, 3:18 PM 3/12/2003]
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Re: Bigblock engine troubles in Belgium (bbvette74)
Dear bbvette74,
I agree with all the others, but if you are a little cautious, you should try to contact a local Forum member. I suggest UKPaul in England, and I am sure that he would know a competent mechanic who could fly over to Belgium to help you out. Conversely, you could try driving the car to Calais and putting it on the train and go to England via the tunnel. Either way, you will get a mechanic who is experienced with ancient technology engines such as your 454. I own a 350 1974 Vette, so I'm not trying to be rude with the "ancient technology" stuff. Let us know what you decide and, WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!! :cheers:
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
I agree with all the others, but if you are a little cautious, you should try to contact a local Forum member. I suggest UKPaul in England, and I am sure that he would know a competent mechanic who could fly over to Belgium to help you out. Conversely, you could try driving the car to Calais and putting it on the train and go to England via the tunnel. Either way, you will get a mechanic who is experienced with ancient technology engines such as your 454. I own a 350 1974 Vette, so I'm not trying to be rude with the "ancient technology" stuff. Let us know what you decide and, WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!! :cheers:
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Marion IN
Re: Bigblock engine troubles in Belgium (bbvette74)
hi belgium vette owner. there are a lot of possibilities, but it sure sounds like a timing chain and gear problem to me. A easy way to check this is to remove the distributor cap and turn the motor over by hand a little ways ( clockwise) then turn the engine backwards (counter clockwise ) while watching the rotor button. If the rotor button does not start backwards at the same time you start turning the crank backwards, this is a good indication that you have excessive wear and stretch in the chain and or broken or worn gears. I hope this helps you out. good luck biggjimm
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Montreal QC
Re: Bigblock engine troubles in Belgium (bbvette74)
Welcome another European Forum member! :thumbs:
There is couple of other Forum members from Holland and also at least one from Belgium, maybe they can help you! Hopefully they will chime in soon! :seeya
There is couple of other Forum members from Holland and also at least one from Belgium, maybe they can help you! Hopefully they will chime in soon! :seeya
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Re: Bigblock engine troubles in Belgium (bbvette74)
you have a ton of suggestions, and any one or a combination could be the root of your problem.
I would start with the easiest first...that is the compression check and determine what cylinder isn't firing.
I would also suggest you take your valve covers off, when the lifter noise starts, run the engine and observe the valve train. I'm inclined to agree with Clem, a worn cam lobe, and that would be easy to see with the covers off and engine running. Take a long extension and press against the rocker arm by the pushrod....when the ticking stops, that's your problem cylinder and more than likely, a worn cam lobe. Do one bank at a time, as this method is quite messy.....oil all over....
Good luck
I would start with the easiest first...that is the compression check and determine what cylinder isn't firing.
I would also suggest you take your valve covers off, when the lifter noise starts, run the engine and observe the valve train. I'm inclined to agree with Clem, a worn cam lobe, and that would be easy to see with the covers off and engine running. Take a long extension and press against the rocker arm by the pushrod....when the ticking stops, that's your problem cylinder and more than likely, a worn cam lobe. Do one bank at a time, as this method is quite messy.....oil all over....
Good luck
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,854
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From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Re: Bigblock engine troubles in Belgium (Brettmc)
Brettmc,
:iagree:
If the car starts up okay then goes bad after five minutes when the ticking starts....Bad Lifter or Lifters..... :seeya Cappy
:iagree:
If the car starts up okay then goes bad after five minutes when the ticking starts....Bad Lifter or Lifters..... :seeya Cappy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
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From: Europe , Luxembourg
Re: Bigblock engine troubles in Belgium (bbvette74)
Hi
Welcome to the forum.
This sounds like my big block when it had broken rockers.
The broken intake rocker wasn't so bad, just missing power.
But when one of the exhaust rockers broke, man, what a lot of banging and smoking.
I was still able to drive the car off the highway, but it did hurt .
OK, I don't believe you have the same, but a worn cam would have a very similar effect.
I would guess a exhaust valve cam.
Take the valve covers off and do as previously mentioned.
Good luck. Gunther :seeya
Welcome to the forum.
This sounds like my big block when it had broken rockers.
The broken intake rocker wasn't so bad, just missing power.
But when one of the exhaust rockers broke, man, what a lot of banging and smoking.
I was still able to drive the car off the highway, but it did hurt .
OK, I don't believe you have the same, but a worn cam would have a very similar effect.
I would guess a exhaust valve cam.
Take the valve covers off and do as previously mentioned.
Good luck. Gunther :seeya
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3
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From: kampenhout vl
Re: Bigblock engine troubles in Belgium (bbvette74)
Thanks to everybody for giving me good advice.Monday we will start to try to fix the problem.I drained the oil last week and it was smelling strong off fuel.
I would like to give the forum members a feedback of the work I'm doing.Do I have to start an other topic or do I put the info in this one?
Julien
I would like to give the forum members a feedback of the work I'm doing.Do I have to start an other topic or do I put the info in this one?
Julien
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Re: Bigblock engine troubles in Belgium (bbvette74)
I would like to give the forum members a feedback of the work I'm doing.Do I have to start an other topic or do I put the info in this one?
Julien
Julien
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
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From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Bigblock engine troubles in Belgium (bbvette74)
BBV74, you might want to consider maybe a slipped timing ring /mark on the harmonic balancer....that may be leadig you to set the timing way off, and as engine heats up, all sorts of pinging/timing/running problems show up....
may want to set timing by ear....
GENE
may want to set timing by ear....
GENE
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 49
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From: Brussels
Re: Bigblock engine troubles in Belgium (mrvette)
Hi, I'm glad to see I'm not the only member from Belgium here. Sorry Smokehouse69 I was here first :D
Well for the engine problem I can't help, I don't have much knowledge in that, I'll learn when I will be puting the engine back in the car.For now I'm still putting my frame and body back together.
Good luck fixing it. :thumbs:
Well for the engine problem I can't help, I don't have much knowledge in that, I'll learn when I will be puting the engine back in the car.For now I'm still putting my frame and body back together.
Good luck fixing it. :thumbs: