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

Did full tune up, now has a stumble

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Old May 16, 2026 | 08:08 PM
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Default Did full tune up, now has a stumble

Hi all.
I bought an 88 last week with 43K miles.
As I've always done when I get an older car, I go through it, which includes tune up.

So I bought all GM AC Delco parts from Top Flight, change cap, rotor, wires, plugs & used CRC on the MAF.

Wires are correct yet now it seems to want to slightly stumble or miss, can't tell, while driving.

I looked for broken vacuum lines, none, tapped the MAF while idling, it didn't stumble & there is no CE light.

Thoughts?
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Old May 17, 2026 | 04:36 AM
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Did one of the new plugs get dropped on the floor or cracked when tightening during the install? You can also look at the inside of the cap for a crack....Run the engine in the dark and look for arcing👍
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Old May 17, 2026 | 07:25 AM
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Did you transfer ground strap from old distributor cap ?


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Old May 17, 2026 | 07:51 AM
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Id check to see if the spark wires are fully seated on the plugs and in the cap.
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Old May 17, 2026 | 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by pltmgr
Id check to see if the spark wires are fully seated on the plugs and in the cap.
And I will add: That the firing order is correct.
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Old May 17, 2026 | 03:31 PM
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just for clarity:
did it run well before you gave it a tune up? what CRC product did you use? what is a CE light?
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Old Yesterday | 01:40 AM
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I've been guilty more than once myself of not reinstalling plug wires so that the boots are all the way seated. Have also crossed wires in the past.

So, yeah, post #s 4 and 5 are worth double, even triple checking. Sometimes the boots feel like they're snapped in but really aren't.

As an aside, I always put a timing light on it whenever I finish swapping out plugs and wires or anything ignition related as well.


Last edited by Natty C; Yesterday at 01:44 AM.
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Old Yesterday | 10:44 AM
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An extra bit, look INSIDE the spark plug boots when doing so, make sure the connector is there and good.

I had a less than one year old set and the connector in a boot was pushed back, sidewise. Only kind of worked because it was pushing against the spark plug tip. I only checked because it sounded funny putting back on, now do every time.
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