holy crap what did i do?

[fearnatine13]

Ok, im new to the forums here...i am betting this has been answered somewhere else but i spent about 45 minutes trying to search through the forums to find an answer. i drive a 1969 CST10 with a rebuilt 305 in it (not by my choice) and i am having a problem...i'll be driving and suddenly it will sound like my truck sounds like it misses for a second...then fine...then it happens more frequently until its completely drowning the sound of the exhaust out, almost like the entire passenger side of my exhaust system goes dead. Also when i'm stopped it will idle really really rough...any ideas?

[Longhorn Man]

You done a tune up lately?

[fearnatine13]

replaced the plugs and wires about 2-3 months ago, oil and fuel filter about a week-2 weeks ago

[71SWBChevy]

Have you done a compression check? checked the valves maybe they need adjustment?

[Solver]

If it is a newer 305 v8 and hei you might pull the module in the distributor and have it checked. At least then you can rule out some spark problems and it is usually free to have it tested

[fearnatine13]

it was going to be either that or checking the carb adjustment (edelbrock performer 600 w/ electric choke) next

[fearnatine13]

Originally Posted by Solver

If it is a newer 305 v8 and hei you might pull the module in the distributor and have it checked. At least then you can rule out some spark problems and it is usually free to have it tested

its a '79 305, but unfortunately no HEI...thats my next upgrade...d'oh

[fearnatine13]

i'm sure this is really hard for you guys to help me with, since you can't really hear the sound i'm trying to describe

[71SWBChevy]

Yeah that is the biggest problem the sound one man calls a ping another calls a knock will another calls a sound similar to a small mammal who is slowly being eaten by a rather large mammal being attacked by a mean man wearing a head dress and sporting a hatchet and bow and arrow.

also with it just happening on occasion it makes it harder to diagnois. I would recommend starting with the basics, you need fuel, air, and spark to fire a cylinder check and make sure you are getting all of these reliably. Also when the plugs were installed you did gap them to the correct specs right?

[fearnatine13]

Originally Posted by 71SWBChevy

a small mammal who is slowly being eaten by a rather large mammal being attacked by a mean man whereing a head dress and sporting a hatchet and bow and arrow.

i've been on the boards one day and already everyone knows what i do on the weekends...great

and yea all the plugs are gapped at .45, standard for the 305

[71SWBChevy]

hmm... This is a hard one I think your going to have to wait on one of the more engine savy people on here

[davidh]

Last engine I had that did that had several lobes on the cam flat. Pop your valve covers off and see if the rocker arms are moving freely...

[fearnatine13]

The rocker arms you say...hmm...if they weren't moving freely, what would i do to remedy that situation? dont really know right now, but i'd like to get an idea as to what to do tomorrow morning

[Tx Firefighter]

Your 79 model engine originally had an HEI distributor, which is why specs call for the .045 gap. If you don't have an HEI, remove your new spark plugs and regap them to .035. A points type of ignition needs the smaller gap.

Now, replace your points and condensor. I'd bet you'll find your points burned considerably.

[GMan69]

with Tx Firefighter. .030-.035 gap on plugs w/ points ignition.

[cdowns]

put in new points ,condensor ,rotor anddistributor cap set dwell set timing change fuel and air filters B-4 trying anything else====it's called a tuneup// while you're in there is a good time to change out cracked dryrotted vaccume hoses heater hoses and don't forget the PCV valve