Engine still not starting on the 1982 Corvette.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Austin TX
Engine still not starting on the 1982 Corvette.
Brief background:
The 1982 Vette at sometime in the past (before I bought it) had an engine fire and the TBI and intake manifold was replaced with a Carb and corresponding intake. The distributor was also replaced to accommodate the vacuum advance.
When I bought it, the engine ran, but it had a tremendous amount of black smoke coming out of the tailpipe, and the plugs where fouled. I rebuilt the engine and put everything back in its place, but it will not start. It turns over, and wants to start, but it will not. There is fuel getting to the carb, and there is a really good spark on the plugs. I am also sure that the timing is where it should be. I have no idea at this point what could still be wrong.
Any advice on this problem would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks,
Carl Matteson
The 1982 Vette at sometime in the past (before I bought it) had an engine fire and the TBI and intake manifold was replaced with a Carb and corresponding intake. The distributor was also replaced to accommodate the vacuum advance.
When I bought it, the engine ran, but it had a tremendous amount of black smoke coming out of the tailpipe, and the plugs where fouled. I rebuilt the engine and put everything back in its place, but it will not start. It turns over, and wants to start, but it will not. There is fuel getting to the carb, and there is a really good spark on the plugs. I am also sure that the timing is where it should be. I have no idea at this point what could still be wrong.
Any advice on this problem would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks,
Carl Matteson
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Engine still not starting on the 1982 Corvette. (82Powerhouse)
Give a run down of what you did during rebuild, like piston change, head change etc. Might try a comp check to see what that tells, sound you have a handle on everything else.
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From: Austin TX
Re: Engine still not starting on the 1982 Corvette.
I replaced the rings and bearings, and did general cleaning. The pistons where fine and I did not see a reason to replace them.
I have not done a Compression check yet, but I think that will be the next thing to do.
I have not done a Compression check yet, but I think that will be the next thing to do.
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Re: Engine still not starting on the 1982 Corvette. (82Powerhouse)
uhm, 82 has an electrical fuel pump inside the tank that puts out 13psi (or even up to like 45 if they replaced it w/ a later model). Check the actual fuel pressure, I'm willing to bet it's too high. You may need to restrict the line with a pill apart from using a proper regulator.
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From: Calif.
Re: Engine still not starting on the 1982 Corvette. (82Powerhouse)
Engines need 4 things to start and run:
1. Fuel.
2. Air.
3. Spark (at the proper time)
4. Compression.
You say you have fuel and spark. Now you only have 2 things to research, assuming you didn't take the short block apart. I'd start by making sure the distributor is installed properly. Remove it, put the engine at TDC on No. 1's firing stroke, yadda, yadda, yadda. If it still doesn't fire do your compression test both wet and dry.
1. Fuel.
2. Air.
3. Spark (at the proper time)
4. Compression.
You say you have fuel and spark. Now you only have 2 things to research, assuming you didn't take the short block apart. I'd start by making sure the distributor is installed properly. Remove it, put the engine at TDC on No. 1's firing stroke, yadda, yadda, yadda. If it still doesn't fire do your compression test both wet and dry.
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: central FL, near the beach.
Re: Engine still not starting on the 1982 Corvette. (Twin_Turbo)
:iagree:
uhm, 82 has an electrical fuel pump inside the tank that puts out 13psi (or even up to like 45 if they replaced it w/ a later model). Check the actual fuel pressure, I'm willing to bet it's too high. You may need to restrict the line with a pill apart from using a proper regulator.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
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From: spring city pa
Re: Engine still not starting on the 1982 Corvette. (Matt Gruber)
If you continue to have a problem with the fuel pressure , e/mail me as I have made this change over and will help you any way I can . Twin turbo is right on target with his observations .
gman
gman
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From: The Only Corvette in Gila Bend, Az.
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Engine still not starting on the 1982 Corvette. (ram82fire)
It sounds like the distributer is in the wrong position....
What have you guys done with your crossfire intakes, and throttle bodies????
What have you guys done with your crossfire intakes, and throttle bodies????
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Austin TX
Re: Engine still not starting on the 1982 Corvette. (Fevre)
I will have to buy/borrow a fuel line tester before I can test the system.
I was able to test the cylinder compression with these results:
1 35 PSI
2 40
3 35
4 40
5 40
6 30-35
7 40
8 40
I am having trouble finding what the compresstion is supposed to be. I know it is supposed to be a 9:1 ratio, but what does that equate to in PSI?
I never had the TBI or the intake that goes with it. Sometime in the past someone else swaped it out.
[Modified by 82Powerhouse, 5:59 PM 6/24/2003]
I was able to test the cylinder compression with these results:
1 35 PSI
2 40
3 35
4 40
5 40
6 30-35
7 40
8 40
I am having trouble finding what the compresstion is supposed to be. I know it is supposed to be a 9:1 ratio, but what does that equate to in PSI?
I never had the TBI or the intake that goes with it. Sometime in the past someone else swaped it out.
[Modified by 82Powerhouse, 5:59 PM 6/24/2003]
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From: Tilehurst Reading
Re: Engine still not starting on the 1982 Corvette. (82Powerhouse)
Way too low. Are you sure you got the cam timing / valve lash correct when you rebuilt engine. Agree with fuel pressure suggestions as per other posts, more than likely what caused your original black smoke.
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Re: Engine still not starting on the 1982 Corvette. (Col-UK)
you are either having a SERIOUS problem (cam timing) or you're not testing poperly. You have to cycle it a few times. You should get somewhere within the 165-195 (or a tad higher) range, depending on DCR. 165 is a bit on the low side. 205 and up is kinda high. Is the engine still fresh? If the rings have not seated it could be as low as like 140 or so but it better go up after a couple of hundred miles.
