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#1 |
Registered User
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Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 170
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Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
How about changing your plugs and plug wires more than once every 7 or 8 years? This is cylinder #4, the worst of the bunch by far.
In my (very weak) defense, the headers really take a lot of the fun out of changing the plugs. Pretty much everything else gets regular attention. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Ocala,Fl
Posts: 733
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
Did you mean for less than $20?
I see a tired engine. |
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#3 |
Senior Member
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Location: Winona Lake, IN
Posts: 6,281
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
I don't think changing the plug on cylinder #4 will make a lot of difference, I agree with Shinysideup, that looks like a plug out of a tired engine. Spark plugs do wear, and therefore need replaced every so often, but they should not look like that.
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70 C/10 SWB 402/TH400/3.73 "The Needy Beast" 200,000 Mile Club Disc Brake Club Owner installed options: Front Sway Bar Power Steering Power Brakes Cigar Lighter Courtesy Lights Deluxe Side Markers Wiper Delay Power windows Power Locks Sniper EFI 2015 Silverado 1500 LS 4.3/6L80/3.23 lowered 2" front & rear |
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#4 |
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Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 170
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
The truck sat parked for over a year while I came up with the funds to get her back on the street.
It feels more powerful now than it ever has since I owned it. A cam swap that I was considering doesn't even seem necessary now. Also, the plug wire going to that cylinder was hidden from view, and when I pulled it out, it was taped in the middle with electrical tape. Didn't unwrap it to see what was hidden. Last edited by ShortCST; 08-04-2017 at 08:14 AM. Reason: Posted incomplete |
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#5 |
Senior Member
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Location: Winona Lake, IN
Posts: 6,281
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
That would explain the way it looks if it was not firing properly from a bad wire. It's always a very pleasant surprise when you do a simple thing like a tune up that makes such a big difference. I saw your other thread about the drop springs, nice looking truck.
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70 C/10 SWB 402/TH400/3.73 "The Needy Beast" 200,000 Mile Club Disc Brake Club Owner installed options: Front Sway Bar Power Steering Power Brakes Cigar Lighter Courtesy Lights Deluxe Side Markers Wiper Delay Power windows Power Locks Sniper EFI 2015 Silverado 1500 LS 4.3/6L80/3.23 lowered 2" front & rear |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Mocksville, NC
Posts: 1,747
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
My truck went through similar maintenance a few months ago and it really livened it up and made the engine run smoother. I was ready to toss this 307 anchor overboard before I tuned it up, but it runs well enough now that I think I will hang on to it for a while.
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Builds: Green Gus the 68 C10 ; Sullii the 72 1500 - Instagram: @dr.hewitt - C10 Concept/Development Photos: Master Thread |
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#7 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern Cal
Posts: 20,005
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
Best thing I ever did was ditch headers and go back to stock manifolds. Easy to change plugs, zero exhaust leaks, no more burnt plug wires, able to install factory AC brackets. I'm driving a pickup truck, not a race car and there are way more advantages for me this way.
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1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man |
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#8 | ||
"I ain't nobody, dork."
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,940
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
I have installed headers on every single rig I have ever owned. No probs for me.
![]() When plugs are oil fouled... it's time to look at rings and/or valve guides and seals. Gary
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'cuz chicks dig scars... My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread. The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck Quote:
Quote:
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#9 |
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Lake Forest, CA
Posts: 2,177
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
Cause it needs possible rings and guides...
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"Work hard, use your vacation days." 1970 C15 GMC Long Bed 1986 C20 Scottsdale 1983 K2500 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Instagram: C10sofOC |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Barber City, CA
Posts: 4,781
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
every self respecting chevy engine burns a little oil.... but dang..
might want to run a compression check for top and bottom wear and proceed cautiously before demanding too much from it.. best time to do this while replacing sparking bolts ![]() good luck! |
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#11 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: LI, NY 11801
Posts: 1,140
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
Quote:
Bill
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1970 C10 8' Fleetside, L6 250, 3 on the Tree. The most basic of pickup trucks! |
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#12 |
Account Suspended
![]() Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 6,873
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
I have taken headers off every single rig I bought that had them, I hate exhaust leaks...
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#13 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 170
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
I know that it looks like oil. But it wasn't viscous. It positively reeked of gas as soon as I pulled it out. The smell of fuel from the exhaust was dizzying. A couple of the other plugs were fouled. This one was wet.
I'll definitely perform the compression test, just to be on the safe side. |
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#14 |
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Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 170
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
Randy, I have a set of Doug Thorley Tri-Y pieces, and they've never given me a problem. They've got really thick flanges.
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#15 |
Senior Member
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Location: Winona Lake, IN
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
It is running extremely rich then. I would bet there is gas in your oil as well. Since you are replacing plugs/wires, maybe a carb rebuild is in order as well. At the very least, a carb adjustment should be made, along with a a check and/or adjustment of the timing and an oil change. If it's been running that rich for a long time, it could "wash down" the cylinders and cause excessive wear on the cylinder walls and piston rings. That would be an extreme case, but it is possible.
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70 C/10 SWB 402/TH400/3.73 "The Needy Beast" 200,000 Mile Club Disc Brake Club Owner installed options: Front Sway Bar Power Steering Power Brakes Cigar Lighter Courtesy Lights Deluxe Side Markers Wiper Delay Power windows Power Locks Sniper EFI 2015 Silverado 1500 LS 4.3/6L80/3.23 lowered 2" front & rear |
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#16 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 170
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
Stovebolt, it doesn't smell like gas since I replaced the plugs and wires, but the idle speed is a bit fast (around 1k rpm). I wonder if the last time that I brought it in for a tune, if they just advanced the timing to try to burn more fuel, without pulling all of the plugs for inspection.
Should I still rebuild the carb? It's an Edelbrock 1406. I have no qualms, I'm just excited to drive it now that it's running so well. Hate to start the Fedex clock all over again. Last edited by ShortCST; 08-04-2017 at 04:10 PM. Reason: Typo |
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#17 |
Moderator
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Location: Southern Cal
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
If it is running well and you are happy leave it alone and enjoy driving it.
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1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man |
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#18 |
Senior Member
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Location: Winona Lake, IN
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
^^What Scott said.
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70 C/10 SWB 402/TH400/3.73 "The Needy Beast" 200,000 Mile Club Disc Brake Club Owner installed options: Front Sway Bar Power Steering Power Brakes Cigar Lighter Courtesy Lights Deluxe Side Markers Wiper Delay Power windows Power Locks Sniper EFI 2015 Silverado 1500 LS 4.3/6L80/3.23 lowered 2" front & rear |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Westchester, NY
Posts: 602
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
Just adjust the idle screws, there are two on the front of your carb, easy peezy.
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1968 C-10 Suburban - Original 396/TH400 2002 Transam WS6 - M6 - Black/Black - Evil Garage Queen 2000 Silverado - DD - Small lift+Body lift+35" Duratracs+4.88's + Eaton TruTrac - Monster Truck 2010 Cadillac CTS Wagon Sport - Wife's DD and the only classy car we have. |
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#20 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 170
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
Quote:
I do want to fix the idle speed, though. Today. Mostly just to wring as many miles per gallon out of the 327. Two related questions, and I'll be out of everyone's hair: 1. Does idle speed affect mpg much? Both city and highway, or just in stop and go? 2. Are the idle screws the only/best place to turn the engine speed down a notch, or does the ignition timing change that as well, and how do I know which to change, without an exhaust gas analyzer? |
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#21 | |
Senior Member
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Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Posts: 7,263
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
Quote:
2] Back in the day -- when we just clubbed and skinned a dinosaur for its gas rather than squeezing its juice from the pump, long before EGAs, A/F meters or OBDs -- we used a device called a 'vacuum gauge'. It's T-ed into the vacuum line from the distrubutor to the carb and reads in Inches of Mercury [X''Hg] . When adjusting the carb set screws, you want the highest number reading on each screw. For my 292 L6, 17-18''Hg is nominal. Easy analog gauge to work with, not hard to find, doubles as fuel pressure meter too, in some applications. Not expensive either. Also an in-dash Vacuum Gauge can indicate best gas-mileage while running, decelleration, bad valves, sticky valves, poor compression, etc. And just looks cool being there. Big trucks have them as standard. Tachometer is also handy tune up tool. If you have points, you need a Dwell Meter, too. They used to sell Dwell/Tach/Voltmeters. Yes, timing affects engine speed.
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Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. Last edited by '68OrangeSunshine; 08-04-2017 at 10:41 PM. |
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#22 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 170
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
So, after just having come back from a drive, I realized that:
The truck idles at 750 rpm in Drive when warm. It idles at 1000 in Park or Neutral when warm. Even if I stab the throttle. Settles back down at 1000. Sorry for the sophomoric questions. Do the above numbers sound right? |
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#23 |
Senior Member
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Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Posts: 7,263
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
I'll pass on auto tranny questions. Purely a Stick Man.
They used to tell us in the military: "The only dumb questions, are the ones you don't ask.''
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Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. |
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#24 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 170
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
So it's a tranny issue, you say? My first clue!
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 309
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Re: Simple Trick To Gain 100hp+ For Less Than $200
Not sure you are looking at a tranny issue. Idling at a 1000 and putting it into gear will pull the engine down a bit. Get it idling at 750-800 in park, then make sure it stays running in gear. All good at that point. If you put it in gear and it dies, give it a bit more idle speed.
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