Whats wrong with my engine now?
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Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Whats wrong with my engine now?
First, I say thanks to everyone who helped me finally get this engine running in my previous post under this topic, I feel it will be easier and less cluttered to post a new thread regarding different problems.
Some quick specs of this engine:
87+ Roller 350 bored .040
096 Vortec heads
Performer intake
Edelbrock 1406 600cfm carb
ZZ4 cam
Engine seems to start up, run, and idle pretty good, just a little stumble here and there, but what really has me so frustrated is when I actually go and DRIVE the car. If I am driving VERY slowly, it drives fine, doesnt have trouble going slow. When I step on the gas to go anything above slow, the car bogs down, jumps, hesitates, and a combination of the three, until it eventually "kind of" evens out. It will repeat this annoying, irritating sequence every single time I accelerate.
Another thing is this, lets say for example:
I go to first, bring it up to a speed where I am ready to shift to second, then shift into second, and then mash the gas, the car at first bogs down REAL bad, then stutters, and eventually goes, but when I let off the gas and let it coast in neutral, the engine dies, but always starts back up.
What could be causing these problems?
Is my carburetor too small for my engine?
Is this a sign of fowled plugs?
I am also curious about the intake that I have on the motor. The intake is made for a Rochester, because my original plan was to run a rochester carb, but my plans changed. The intake has 8 stud holes to accept a square bore carb OR a spread bore. I have a square bore carb on a spread bore intake, without an adapter (It bolts fine), could this pose a problem?
Thanks as always.
Some quick specs of this engine:
87+ Roller 350 bored .040
096 Vortec heads
Performer intake
Edelbrock 1406 600cfm carb
ZZ4 cam
Engine seems to start up, run, and idle pretty good, just a little stumble here and there, but what really has me so frustrated is when I actually go and DRIVE the car. If I am driving VERY slowly, it drives fine, doesnt have trouble going slow. When I step on the gas to go anything above slow, the car bogs down, jumps, hesitates, and a combination of the three, until it eventually "kind of" evens out. It will repeat this annoying, irritating sequence every single time I accelerate.
Another thing is this, lets say for example:
I go to first, bring it up to a speed where I am ready to shift to second, then shift into second, and then mash the gas, the car at first bogs down REAL bad, then stutters, and eventually goes, but when I let off the gas and let it coast in neutral, the engine dies, but always starts back up.
What could be causing these problems?
Is my carburetor too small for my engine?
Is this a sign of fowled plugs?
I am also curious about the intake that I have on the motor. The intake is made for a Rochester, because my original plan was to run a rochester carb, but my plans changed. The intake has 8 stud holes to accept a square bore carb OR a spread bore. I have a square bore carb on a spread bore intake, without an adapter (It bolts fine), could this pose a problem?
Thanks as always.
#2
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Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
Heres the intake I have:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2116/
Says for square bore, or spread bore, so I assume thats not the problem.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2116/
Says for square bore, or spread bore, so I assume thats not the problem.
#5
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Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
I think that it is a timing/spark problem.
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
#6
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Car: 86' z28 (died 5/1/11) 76 k10 pickup
Engine: 350
Transmission: th350
Axle/Gears: 3.73 open
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
might be a spark and the timing curve. but I could be wrong whats your total timing and the RPM thats its in at?
#7
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Car: 1987 CAMARO RS
Engine: 355 SB CHEVY
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 7.625 / 3.42
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
Make sure you don't have a vacume leak at the base of your carb. the performer intakes are for both Q-jet and 4150 style carbs but where it flares out for the Q-jet may not have enough sealing surface for your carb just feel around the base while it is running and feel for any leaks. What type of ignition are you using?, and how much timing are you running?
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#8
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
sounds more like it's not getting fuel when you hit the gas man.
could be a fuel pump, could be the carb needs adjustment.
pay special attention to the accelerator pump and float level.
didn't the carb come with some instructions etc?
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_...406_manual.pdf
could be a fuel pump, could be the carb needs adjustment.
pay special attention to the accelerator pump and float level.
didn't the carb come with some instructions etc?
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_...406_manual.pdf
Last edited by serpentracer; 05-02-2010 at 10:35 AM.
#9
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Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
The carb and fuel pump are new, it gets proper pressure, and such. I think its a spark problem, because even while driving it stumbles. Ill check for vacuum leaks, and check the timing. I dont know that the timing is set at, I did it by ear, because I had to get the car home. I think it is too far advanced, though. I got a timing light, so I will check the car with the advance unhooked, and then with it hooked up to see if the advance curve is working or not.
Thanks for the ideas guys.
Thanks for the ideas guys.
#10
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
Heres the intake I have:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2116/
Says for square bore, or spread bore, so I assume thats not the problem.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2116/
Says for square bore, or spread bore, so I assume thats not the problem.
That intake is for a spread-bore, and your carburetor is a square bore.
You can run them together if you have the adapter plate.
It's a carb spacer that fits the two together in a way to prevent vacuum leaks.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/?...0adapter&dds=1
#11
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
The carb and fuel pump are new, it gets proper pressure, and such. I think its a spark problem, because even while driving it stumbles. Ill check for vacuum leaks, and check the timing. I dont know that the timing is set at, I did it by ear, because I had to get the car home. I think it is too far advanced, though. I got a timing light, so I will check the car with the advance unhooked, and then with it hooked up to see if the advance curve is working or not.
Thanks for the ideas guys.
Thanks for the ideas guys.
#12
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Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
Thats odd, because it has the bolt holes for both. I have it bolted right on the intake no problems.
#13
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Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
Something else I was wondering.
Does timing too far advanced cause a hard start?
Does timing too far advanced cause a hard start?
#14
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
It means too much Initial Advance. You can normally run up to 10* and a little bit more without problems. 15* or more often causes starting problems and can break starters and/or flexplate teeth.
#15
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Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
Ouch. So I am definitely fixing that. I dont want to break a newer starter and a brand new flexplate.
Thanks!
Thanks!
#16
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Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
Allright, just came back inside from messing with the timing, and the more I mess with it, the more I suspect the timing tab is wrong.
When I fired it up, and didnt touch anything, put the light to it, it read all the way advanced on the tab, on the edge of the tab. I think to myself 'Woah, thats WAY too far advanced' so I retard the timing a bit, the engine starts to die, I give it some gas to keep it idling, and the more I retard the timing (mind you, I am still in the advanced timing section on the tab) the more the engine dies.
I finally just figured I would put the mark where I think it should be (4*PTDC-6*PTDC) and it just runs awful and dies, and wont start back up without my foot mashing the gas.
Something is wrong here, and it frustrates the hell outa me.
When I fired it up, and didnt touch anything, put the light to it, it read all the way advanced on the tab, on the edge of the tab. I think to myself 'Woah, thats WAY too far advanced' so I retard the timing a bit, the engine starts to die, I give it some gas to keep it idling, and the more I retard the timing (mind you, I am still in the advanced timing section on the tab) the more the engine dies.
I finally just figured I would put the mark where I think it should be (4*PTDC-6*PTDC) and it just runs awful and dies, and wont start back up without my foot mashing the gas.
Something is wrong here, and it frustrates the hell outa me.
#17
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Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
And also-
With the vac advance hooked up and revving the motor, there is no change in timing.
With the vac advance hooked up and revving the motor, there is no change in timing.
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Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
Here is what I plan on buying in order to get this damn thing running:
Adapter plate:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MRG-1932/
Distributor:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MSD-8362/
I think that the weights in the distributor I have are seized, not allowing proper timing advance throughout the curve. I got this distributor for free from a buddy in unknown condition. I guess I am lucky it works at all.
Will this adapter plate work properly for my needs?
Thanks.
Adapter plate:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MRG-1932/
Distributor:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MSD-8362/
I think that the weights in the distributor I have are seized, not allowing proper timing advance throughout the curve. I got this distributor for free from a buddy in unknown condition. I guess I am lucky it works at all.
Will this adapter plate work properly for my needs?
Thanks.
#19
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Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
I verified that this adapter will work for my application and placed my order.
I am tired of used crap not working.
(fingers crossed)
I am tired of used crap not working.
(fingers crossed)
#20
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Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
Got my parts in the mail today, and promptly installed them.
It kind of aggrevates me that the MSD distributor was mad in china, but it seems to work fine, I popped it in, and she fired right up.
Didnt get a chance to drive the car yet, but I will tomorrow.
I did, however, find that the advance weights on the distributor I had, one was rusted in the "in" position, and the other was rusted in the "out" position, and I couldnt turn the pointer at all, so the advance was totally fried on it. I am hoping for the best.
Results tomorrow.
It kind of aggrevates me that the MSD distributor was mad in china, but it seems to work fine, I popped it in, and she fired right up.
Didnt get a chance to drive the car yet, but I will tomorrow.
I did, however, find that the advance weights on the distributor I had, one was rusted in the "in" position, and the other was rusted in the "out" position, and I couldnt turn the pointer at all, so the advance was totally fried on it. I am hoping for the best.
Results tomorrow.
#21
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Car: 83 Trans Am / 96 Jeep XJ
Engine: 355 / 4.0 I6
Transmission: TH350 / Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23 10-bolt / 4wd
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
Well....
To put it plainly, same problems.
My buddy said its a problem with the carburetor, and to me it also seems like a fuel delivery problem. My buddy said I should go with a Holley 600, and it should be fine, but I am not sure.
On a side note, would this cam be a good choice for my engine? It matches the RPM range of my intake fairly well, and I want the aggressive exhaust note:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HRS-180305-08/
Thanks.
To put it plainly, same problems.
My buddy said its a problem with the carburetor, and to me it also seems like a fuel delivery problem. My buddy said I should go with a Holley 600, and it should be fine, but I am not sure.
On a side note, would this cam be a good choice for my engine? It matches the RPM range of my intake fairly well, and I want the aggressive exhaust note:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HRS-180305-08/
Thanks.
#22
Re: Whats wrong with my engine now?
I have a problem with my 88 Camaro as well. It happened a few weeks ago. I was letting it run and I turned it off. I left it off for about a few hours and I went back to start it and it wouldn't turn at all. I messed around with it and shirted it out of park and slammed it back in and it started. I tried to start it today and it won't turn again even when i took it out of park and put it back in.
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
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