Help With Motor Issue...
 

just bought a 78' bonanza (what is a bonanza?) and it has a 350/350..
Engine starts up but seems to idle rough, when you put it into gear it kinda shakes the whole truck when you give it gas taking off, it seems slugish too, doesnt seem to have much power... what could be the problem???

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

compression on 4 and 6 are lower than the others

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

Blown head gasket and fire slotted between 4 and 6

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

but the oil doesnt look milky or anything and the antifreeze doesn't look like it has oil in it...it does however smoke a little when i step on the gas... i cant tell if its white or blue.... could it still be a blown head gasket???

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

yes head gasket may be blown between the cylinders and not into the coolant passage

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

Also check your timing, and make sure your valves are adjusted correctly

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

idles rough and when put into gear shakes the truck and acts like doesnt wanna go, i changed plugs that is all... so it COULD be a bad head gasket even tho oil and coolant are clean? its 4 and 6 that has the low compression.. would it most likely be this or timing issue?

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

Possible cam problem, lobes wore down. Or carbon on the valves.

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

If compression is down on 4 and 6 the head gasket would be the first place where I would look also. That is causing the shaking and no power. Because the compression is down on cylinders beside each other, that is why I would tend to beleive it is the head gasket also.

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

i checked the passenger side valves and they were all moving fine and pumping oil... didnt get driver side valve cover off which is where the low compression is to see if all the rocker arms on moving on that side... i was told it was most likely the head gasket blown.... and im starting to think that..

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

bad cam wouldn't cause 4 and 6 to be low and have no power and shaking would it?

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

you bet.ive stuck a lot camshafts in old 350 and 305 motors

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

how do i tell if the cam is bad and how would i tell if its the head gasket? is there a way to test before i rip into it and spend money????

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

when i take my air cleaner off, and nail the gas and let off it makes a little pop doesnt that mean bad cam??

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

throught the carb it makes a pop or could it be somethin else

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

Bad exhaust lobe will backfire thru the carb. What's your compression readings?

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

i dont know but it was checked and 4 and 6 are low and also my complete exhaust is rusted out, this matter?

it makes a little pop in the carb when i gun it and let off

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

i did compression check today, all my clinders are hitting 90-120 except two that are right next to each other the two middle cylinders on the passenger side they go to like 5 thats all..... so does this sound like head gasket? i pulled the valve cover and my rockers are moving so i know the cam is working, what else could be the problem? a cracked head???

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

im guessing the low ones are 4 and 6 i dont know how to tell the cylinder number but the two next to each other in the middle on passenger side thats low ones 90-120 for the rest, is that good???

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

cracked head is possible but I would believe the head gasket is toast. either way the head has to come off to find out

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

from front to back.....
passenger side= 2 4 6 8
driver side = 1 3 5 7

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

doesnt my motor have to overheat in order to blow my head gasket? it doesnt over heat and there is no water/coolant in my oil... just thought if gasket was bad it would over heat or would have to overheat to blow it in first place but it doesnt over heat...

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

so yes 4 and 6 are the ones with bad compression is 90-120 on the rest good or is that low???

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

drivers side radiator to firewall 1-3-5-7 pass side radiator to firewall 2-4-6-8http://boxwrench.net/images/GM_cyln_1357.gif
Shane


http://boxwrench.net/specs/chevy_sb.htm

Re: Help With Motor Issue...
 

my plugs looked black smelled like gas but looked kinda like oil... i just changed them about 5 miles ago... does that mean anything? really only on the side with low compression