C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

89 350 tpi engine problem

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Old Jun 1, 2014 | 04:23 PM
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Default 89 350 tpi engine problem

Hi, hope you guys can help me. I have an 89 350 tpi engine in my 1963 chevy truck. I have recently developed a problem with the running of the engine which I cannot fix.

The problem is when accelerating from around 60mph to over take another car and around 1600 rpm the engine struggles to accelerate and holds back and will not pick up speed. It feels like the engine is miss fire butting does not back fire, it feels like it's lacking in something. If you push the throttle to the floor and the transmission kicks down a gear the truck picks up and takes of fine. I have changed. 8 injectors, 8 plugs and leads, dizzy arm, dizzy cap and coil, tps sensor, map sensor and oxygen sensor and I still have the fault
It only seems to do it between 1600 and 1900 rpm under load . If the engine is revving above 2000 rpm it's fine and runs really smooth.

, if any one has any ideas please let me know

Thanks for your help
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Old Jun 1, 2014 | 04:33 PM
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Did you disconnect the EST connector, (Tan wire with black stripe near the driver side firewall on an 89 Vette) before setting the timing?

Also, what is the Fuel Pressure? should be 37-42psi with the vacuum hose disconnected from the fuel pressure regulator diaphragm and engine on. You can also, connect the fuel pressure gauge to the schrader valve on the fuel rail and tape the gauge to the windshield. Take a drive and see what the fuel pressure is when you accelerate. If the fuel pressure drops significantly, there's your problem. The fuel pump is weak.




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Last edited by GKK; Jun 1, 2014 at 04:36 PM.
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Old Jun 1, 2014 | 04:38 PM
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Thanks for the reply

I keep reading about this tan and black wire, but it cannot see it, the truck has an American auto wire harness in so not 100% sure if the wire will be the same color as in the original car, also no I have checked fuel pressure, this my next line of investigation, I haven't go a fuel pressure gauge to check
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Old Jun 1, 2014 | 04:53 PM
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The EST Timing wire is the connector located in the middle of this picture, coming out of the thick plastic wire bundle.

Disconnect this wire, adjust the timing and then Reconnect.


Last edited by GKK; Jun 1, 2014 at 04:57 PM.
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Old Jun 1, 2014 | 04:56 PM
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I don't have a connector like that in my harness
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Old Jun 1, 2014 | 05:05 PM
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You need the original Wiring harness from the Donor TPI engine.
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Old Jun 1, 2014 | 05:08 PM
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Doh, I do not have the original but I have a wiring diagram for the engine, so may be able to work it out, do you think it could be timing issue as it runs fine above that certain rev range, I do think it's kinda a fuel issue, have you ever come across this issue before

Thanks
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Old Jun 1, 2014 | 06:19 PM
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Robbs - Why not contact American Auto Wire and ask them where the EST disconnect is? You don't need the original wiring, however it is much harder to troubleshoot issues like this when you don't. If you didn't disconnect it then your timing isn't correct. Low rpm + high load is where timing issues are most apparent.
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 01:08 AM
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The EST connector is in the 4 wire harness coming out of the back of the distributor. It goes to the ECM.

It's the SET TIMING CONNECTOR at the bottom of this diagram:

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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 12:31 PM
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Ok, thanks for the diagram, so how do go go about setting the timing by disconnecting this est wire ???
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 02:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Robbsc10
Ok, thanks for the diagram, so how do go go about setting the timing by disconnecting this est wire ???
Disconnect the EST wire, adjust the timing and then Reconnect.
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 03:29 PM
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Oh is that it, I have managed to find the plug, it was hidden up behind the dash in the truck. I haven't adjusted anything on the timing so wondering why it would be effecting it now ???
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Old Jun 2, 2014 | 06:49 PM
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At least you learned how to set base timing? Have you been able to pull codes? Is it speed density, or mass air? What transmission, and if 700r4 is the tv cable adjusted correctly. You know it's not any of the parts you changed already. What did you do prior to it starting?
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Old Jun 3, 2014 | 02:47 AM
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No codes, it's speed density and using a 700r4. Not sure what you mean by TV cable, nothing had been done befoe it was running good
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Old Jun 3, 2014 | 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Robbsc10
No codes, it's speed density
An 89 L98 Vette engine uses a MAF sensor, the 90-91 L98 Vette engine uses a MAP sensor and is Speed Density...

So, your donor engine must be from a 90-91 Vette.





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Last edited by GKK; Jun 3, 2014 at 04:32 PM.
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Old Jun 3, 2014 | 04:25 PM
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Thanks for all the advice, I have checked the TV cable and made a small adjustment. Also I checked the timing and found out that it was on 12 degrees instead of 6, so hope to go out on road test tomorrow and see how it goes
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Old Jun 5, 2014 | 02:29 PM
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So..... The latest, checked trimming and have it spot on 6 degrees befor tic and now under load engine now pings, can I set the degrees to something else to get rid of ping. Please help
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Old Jun 5, 2014 | 02:34 PM
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What grade of fuel are you running?
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Old Jun 5, 2014 | 02:35 PM
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Well in the the uk, just running the normal cheap fuel, have always run it in the truck for the past two,years ??
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Old Jun 5, 2014 | 03:01 PM
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Are you running the stock programming?
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