Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
10-12-2007, 08:18 PM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cypress, Tx
Posts: 4,005
|
Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
Hey all,
THe motor was reinstalled and running great after a little cleanup and paint action. I drove my daughter to school this morning and everything was fine. I came home, parked the truck, then left again about 25 minutes later. When I started the truck up it shook pretty good. I'm talking the whole truck. When I put it in drive it started shaking really bad!! If I turn the steering wheel all the way to the locks then it will kill the engine (strain on the pwr steering pump I guess) It wasn't doing this before when I parked it. All the vacuum lines appear in tacr and the dizzy has not walked (I had it marked from the reinstallation during painting). All the wires seem to be ingood shape without cracking or fraying. One more thing, I have one of those edelbrock breathers on the valve cover and it seams that smoke or (steam??) is coming from it when the truck is in drive (with the emergency brake on). The truck also spins the tires just like it did before when floored, it just doesn't like to idle smoothly anymore. I'm very confused. Any ideas on where to look?? THanks in advance!! Shawn
__________________
1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE Last edited by jorgensensc; 10-12-2007 at 08:20 PM. |
10-12-2007, 08:37 PM | #2 |
Active Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area.
Posts: 7,947
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
I guess for starters you might check the exhaust. Is it smoking?
White smoke is more than likely water. Black or gray rich mixture, and a bluish to bluish gray is oil... Something could be cracked- as in head or your head gaskets gone bad. Most of the time you can tell by looking at your exhaust to see if it's sucking water. Also, check your oil to make sure no water has gotten into it... |
10-12-2007, 08:56 PM | #3 |
laying low
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Searcy, Ark. USA
Posts: 13,514
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
Well if it's buckin and jumping at idle you have a plug misfiring most likely. With it running using a good pair of insulated plug pliers pull each wire off one at a time until you find the one that doesn't make any difference in the way it runs. It may only be fouled. Or the plug wire may be jumping spark over to the exhaust manifold. The smoke from the breather may just be blowby, oil smoke. Give the spark plugs a look and you should see which one is guilty by the business end of it.
__________________
Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross |
10-12-2007, 09:23 PM | #4 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cypress, Tx
Posts: 4,005
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
Quote:
Shawn
__________________
1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE |
|
10-12-2007, 09:35 PM | #5 |
Overdrive club
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: apache junction, arizona
Posts: 819
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
Sounds like a fouled plug!!!
__________________
1971 c-10 1951 3100 chevy 1970 chevy c-30 Sold! |
10-12-2007, 10:04 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 7,976
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
Even though you marked the distributor, I'd put a light on it to check for sure. Your symptoms sound like a timing problem to me.
|
10-13-2007, 12:04 AM | #7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Pace, FL
Posts: 2,155
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
Water in the fuel?
__________________
1942 Master Deluxe 1969 C/10 1985 Blazer CUCV 1987 Jimmy 2004 Tahoe 2005 Silverado 1500 2005 Silverado 3500 |
10-13-2007, 12:09 AM | #8 |
Like a Rock!
Join Date: May 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 1,092
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
Did you get paint on the plugs???
__________________
69 LWB Runs great - work in progress Mess with me and you mess with the whole trailer park! |
10-13-2007, 10:54 AM | #9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cypress, Tx
Posts: 4,005
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
No, the plugs are brand new and installed after the engine was painted with the old plugs in place. Good suggestion though.
Shawn
__________________
1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE |
10-13-2007, 12:15 PM | #10 |
Active Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area.
Posts: 7,947
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
I mentioned to check exhaust since you said steam or smoke was coming out of the breather. If you hadn't noticed that before, and it's doing it now, there's got to be something causing that.
A valve can cause that. Either burned or piece of debris keeping it open. Also a burned valve problem is most noticeable during idling. Tends to smooth out at higher rpm's. Also if your plugs are good, timing is right on, no vacuum leaks, etc., and it only idles rough, it could be fuel problems. Check carb adjustments, water in fuel as someone mentioned, etc. Last edited by 68gmsee; 10-13-2007 at 12:16 PM. |
10-13-2007, 12:21 PM | #11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cypress, Tx
Posts: 4,005
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
I found the problem, partially. I pulled the spark plugs and they all looked fine, just some were a little rich looking. I am running on 4 cylinders!!!! I put the truck in drive with the wheels chocked and the parking brake on I pulled spark plug boots to see if there is any difference in running. I pulled all of the boots and 4 of them made absolutely no difference in running. I'm going to pull the dizzy and see what is going on there. It's amazing that once I got it up to speed it will spin the tires, but at idle it shakes violently. This is a new dizzy bought off ebay. I hope it isn't the dizzy since this would be the second oneI bought from the same vendor and the other one had a problem too. I will keep y'all informed!
Shawn
__________________
1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE |
10-13-2007, 01:03 PM | #12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cypress, Tx
Posts: 4,005
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
Okay, I pulled the dizzy and it looks fine, so I went back to the spark plugs. I pulled the boots again and watched what happened. Cylinders 2, 3, 5, and 8 have spark, but don't seem to be making a difference when pulled. The engine runs the same. If I pull any of the others the engine tries to (and in most cases) dies. Now is it coincidence that the firing order for the engine is
1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 and the cylinders that don't seem to make a difference when pulled are every other one in the firing order? Is that unusual, or does that point to something else. I will admit that a couple of the wires shocked the begeezes out of me when I pulled them, but they don't appear to be jumping spark when installed. I am open to any and all suggestions! Thanks a lot, I need to get the truck running correctly before I go to the swap meet tomorrow with the trailer I am towing. Thanks again! Shawn
__________________
1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE |
10-13-2007, 01:37 PM | #13 |
chrome makes it go FASTER!
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Cleveland Tennessee
Posts: 2,884
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
Water under the dist. cap? Was it raining when this happened?
Another thought, are your plug wires touching each other? Make sure they are seperated. Keep us informed.
__________________
She can't cook and she won't clean. But she looks good in a skirt and she brings me beer. She can stay for now. EDIT:: But she left me anyway, So forget her. 1962 GMC Stepside V6 4 speed My rolling resto thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324226 My old farm truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3465005 |
10-13-2007, 01:58 PM | #14 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Jonesboro, AR
Posts: 916
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
What type intake manifold do you have?
Which plugs were fouled? I just looked at a dual plane and the passenger side intake runners feed those cylinders. Like previously mentioned, it couldbe a fuel feed problem in the carb. |
10-13-2007, 01:59 PM | #15 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cypress, Tx
Posts: 4,005
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
Quote:
Shawn
__________________
1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE |
|
10-13-2007, 02:48 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
do you have any other plug wires that you could try? or if you still have the original plugs clean gap and install and see if that helps
i've had brand new topofthe line platinum gold with uramium enriched tip plugs fail in very short order
__________________
71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
10-13-2007, 03:02 PM | #17 |
Active Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area.
Posts: 7,947
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
Dude, if you can spin the tires and it doesn't act up other than when idling, why are you checking the distributor and the wires, etc.
Seems like I'd be looking elsewhere. Don't know what at this time, but I wouldn't suspect the electrical system since it only acts up when idling. I may be wrong but it sure seems like carb/fuel/vacuum problems. You may have to go all out and check the compression on those cylinders also... Just my .02 worth... |
10-15-2007, 09:52 AM | #18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cypress, Tx
Posts: 4,005
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
UPDATE: I went ahead and got new wires (under warranty) and new spark plugs. It didn't help in the least bit. I will tell you thought that even with the new wires if I get my hand down around the spark plugs it will shock the s@#t out of me. I've never had that problem before. I wonder if somehow the block may be charged? I'm not really sure. I'm really starting to think it's the ebay dizzy again. I may just go down and buy a new one from the parts store.
Still looking for any info or ideas. Shawn
__________________
1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE |
10-15-2007, 09:55 AM | #19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cypress, Tx
Posts: 4,005
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
Just reread your post. And it makes sense. Let me make sure that I understand completely. Your saying that cylinders 2,3,5,8 all feed from the passenger side of where the carb attaches to on the intake. so if my carb was acting up and not getting fuel on that side thoss cylindrs would not be fireing, However because I have a 1 inch spacer maybe they are getting a little fuel when I'm on the throttle and that is why it runs better while driving and can still spin the tires? I will check that out. hmm.
__________________
1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE Last edited by jorgensensc; 10-15-2007 at 10:03 AM. |
10-15-2007, 10:18 AM | #20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cypress, Tx
Posts: 4,005
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
I think we have a winner with the fuel problem!! Maybe...I just went outside and turned the idle air adjustment down on the carb on the driverside. The truck tried and almost died. I turned it back up (2.5 turns) and turned down the passenger side. There was no change in the truck at all. So here comes the question. Is there no change because of lack of fuel (carb problem) or is there no change because of spark problem (not burning the fuel). I will say that the truck doesn't smell terribly rich and the spark plugs are not fule soaked as I would expect them to be if there were fuel dumping down the chambers and not getting fired up. Now, how to fix the carb problem. Where could that problem be in the carb? Any carb gurus out there now?
Shawn
__________________
1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE |
10-15-2007, 10:29 AM | #21 |
Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 23,090
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
^Or the plugs aren't being fouled because they're not getting fuel at all.
__________________
Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! Last edited by 67ChevyRedneck; 10-15-2007 at 10:29 AM. |
10-15-2007, 12:07 PM | #22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: San Pedro River, SE Arizona
Posts: 734
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
My 2 cents is that you have a fuel delivery problem at idle - most lilely some blockage in the idle circuit of the carb (whay type carb?) or a related vacuum issue in there. Because the problem is overcome with the throttle wide open, I don't know how it can be electrical. I would chase the idle fuel/vacuum thought.
CCCC
__________________
CCCC 67 Sting Ray Coupe 327 4sp; 68 K10 Suburban 327 4sp; 69 K20 Lifted 383 4sp; 69 C80 Fire Truck 478 V6 5sp/2sp; 69 C20 Longhorn 327 4sp; 70 C30 Wrecker 350 4sp; 70 C30 Flat Bed 350 4sp; 71 C20 LWB 350 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer 350 4sp; 72 C30 Flat Bed Gooseneck Hauler with sleeper 350/TH400; 72 C20 Longhorn 402 4sp; 52 Mack LTL Supercharged Cummins 5sp x 3sp; 01 Dodge 5.9 HO Cummins 6spd; 02 Safari Trek 2430 8.1 Vortec on Workhorse Chassis; 03 Silverado 2500 HD 4wd Duramax/Allison Moved but still in the family 70 C20 Custom Camper 350/TH350; 72 K5 Blazer CST Highlander 350/TH350 Recently sent to new homes 72 C30 MoHome 402 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer Conv 350 4sp; 75 GMC 6000 Aerial 350 w Allison; 72 GMC 3500 Utility 350 4sp; 70 GMC 3500, 350 4sp |
10-15-2007, 03:51 PM | #23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Rock Hill, SC
Posts: 421
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
I had an idle circuit problem years ago in a 600 double pumper. Cleaned it out real good and it ran fine afterwords. It had small trash in it. Also I bought the reman. HEI dist. from Advance it did a good job. Still have it only used 3 weeks before we put on the supercharger and had to use a unilite. lemme know and good luck. Mike
__________________
1968 chevy shortbed, Dark Shadow Gray 4 bolt 383 Stroker,Weiand Super Charger, disc brakes, 9 inch, 391 gear, 20" Eagle wheels, muncie 4 speed/ Hurst shifter, 4/7 drop, Hedman midlengths, 3 inch exhaust w/ 2 chamber flows. 1966 Mustang with 306 roller, c-4, 9 inch Detroit locker rear. 1965 Fastback Mustang w/347 stroker, top loader 4spd, 9 inch detroit locker. 1966 Mustang coup, 306 roller, c4, 9 inch. 65 Cobra, 427, T6oo, 9inch, of course. First gen Hayabusa, airbox mod and running 2 exhaust cams.. Zoom Zoom Zoom |
10-15-2007, 06:38 PM | #24 |
Lemme show you something!!
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: St.Helens, OR.
Posts: 876
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
with "CCCC"- sounds like a clogged idle jet or circuit. I get very similar results on my VW with Dual Carbs, when one of the idle jets gets packed full of S*#T (.....and they constantly get packed full of S*#T!).
__________________
'67 CST-10 LWB ("Crusty") SOLD '67 GMC SWB ("Murdock") 2000 K1500 Suburban ("Betty") '95 BMW 325i ("Joy") |
10-15-2007, 07:31 PM | #25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: here
Posts: 5,789
|
Re: Engine started running crappy! Any ideas?
What are you running for a carb? Did you have the intake off when you were painting?
|
Bookmarks |
|
|