Need help with Engine troubles! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

csb#356 · 11-01-2010, 07:22 PM

I have a 383 stroker in my 77 pickup and I let it idle for about an hour and a half (don't ask why it's a long story). The next day it was running terrible I could hardly get it to move. I had to bring up to about 1500 rpm before letting the clutch out or it would just studder and die. It would run fine at about 2200 cruising speed. good power and very responsive just like usual but when I get to the top end at about 5000 rpm it starts backfiring. I don't see why it would all of a sudden give me timing issues so would it be a carburetor issue or problems with the valves. It has an edelbrock carburetor and performer rpm intake. Please give me your opinions.

1BadSS · 11-01-2010, 07:30 PM

How fresh is the motor? If the cam's fairly new. I'd say you flattened the cam. Otherwise check your timing and fuel.

csb#356 · 11-02-2010, 12:15 PM

The engine has about 45k on it. I took the carb apart last night and it didn't look to good in there and I noticed that one of the needle's was stuck and it didn't open when the float dropped. I'm going to put it back on today and check the cap and rotor as well.

jchav62 · 11-02-2010, 12:26 PM

I've heard that when running an engine that long at idle, the exhaust heat can cause harm. Are you running cats? My guess is something is plugged or burned...

Check plugs and wires too....

csb#356 · 11-02-2010, 12:29 PM

no cats just dual exhaust with glass packs. I've also heard that these engines aren't meant to just sit and idle and thats got to be what caused my problem because the next day I couldn't hardly get it to run. I checked the plugs and most of them were good except a few that were getting a little dark but nothing to worry about.

dammitmitchell · 11-02-2010, 03:09 PM

have you checked your oil for water and your radiator for oil?

csb#356 · 11-02-2010, 03:29 PM

I checked the oil and it wasn't discolored at all, and the coolant looked Ok too. But my float bowls are full of rust so I'm still leaning towards a fuel issue.

dammitmitchell · 11-02-2010, 07:04 PM

aight good to know that your stuffs not overheated.
hey try Kroil or PB blaster as a penetrant to loosen those bowls.
wd-40 is water based and wont penetrate

csb#356 · 11-02-2010, 11:02 PM

Thank you guys for all the help. But earlier today I fixed the problem, it was the distributor cap and rotor. Later on this evening I rebuilt the carb and when i finished I turned the key and it instantly went up in flames. Weird thing was I had been driving it all day

11-01-2010, 07:22 PM	#1
csb#356 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pinehurst, Idaho Posts: 311	Need help with Engine troubles! I have a 383 stroker in my 77 pickup and I let it idle for about an hour and a half (don't ask why it's a long story). The next day it was running terrible I could hardly get it to move. I had to bring up to about 1500 rpm before letting the clutch out or it would just studder and die. It would run fine at about 2200 cruising speed. good power and very responsive just like usual but when I get to the top end at about 5000 rpm it starts backfiring. I don't see why it would all of a sudden give me timing issues so would it be a carburetor issue or problems with the valves. It has an edelbrock carburetor and performer rpm intake. Please give me your opinions.

11-01-2010, 07:30 PM	#2
1BadSS NOT REALLY BANNED! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 1,072	Re: Need help with Engine troubles! How fresh is the motor? If the cam's fairly new. I'd say you flattened the cam. Otherwise check your timing and fuel. __________________ 1987 Mustang Coupe - 2.7 Stroker, 78mm turbo, Stainless header, 3" Exh, FMIC, 160lb/hr Injectors, MS3, twin walbro 255's, 34psi. Eating V8's daily. 04 Pontiac GTO 04 Ford Mustang GT 68 C20 LWB stripper truck 73 K5 Cheyenne 76 C20 Sierra Crew SRW 88 K20 Suburban I'm not hammering on metal just to hammer, i'm creating a piece of art.

11-02-2010, 12:26 PM	#4
jchav62 1962 C-10 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico Posts: 4,978	Re: Need help with Engine troubles! I've heard that when running an engine that long at idle, the exhaust heat can cause harm. Are you running cats? My guess is something is plugged or burned... Check plugs and wires too.... __________________ Joseph Chavez "See the USA in a Chevrolet!!" ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1962 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 327/th350 GV overdrive 1974 C10 Longbed Fleetside 350/th350 "The Trash Truck" 1999 Chevy 2500 OBS, Longbed 5.7/4L80E 4x4 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x4

11-02-2010, 12:29 PM	#5
csb#356 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pinehurst, Idaho Posts: 311	Re: Need help with Engine troubles! no cats just dual exhaust with glass packs. I've also heard that these engines aren't meant to just sit and idle and thats got to be what caused my problem because the next day I couldn't hardly get it to run. I checked the plugs and most of them were good except a few that were getting a little dark but nothing to worry about. Last edited by csb#356; 11-02-2010 at 12:32 PM.

11-02-2010, 03:09 PM	#6
dammitmitchell the pollock Join Date: May 2008 Location: abilene, texas Posts: 4,423	Re: Need help with Engine troubles! have you checked your oil for water and your radiator for oil? __________________ Jack of ALL trades, Master of none.. (but one... procrastination) Army vet 02-08 RIP El Jay! Miss you brother! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=343538 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=386042

11-02-2010, 12:15 PM	#3
csb#356 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pinehurst, Idaho Posts: 311	Re: Need help with Engine troubles! The engine has about 45k on it. I took the carb apart last night and it didn't look to good in there and I noticed that one of the needle's was stuck and it didn't open when the float dropped. I'm going to put it back on today and check the cap and rotor as well.

11-02-2010, 03:29 PM	#7
csb#356 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pinehurst, Idaho Posts: 311	Re: Need help with Engine troubles! I checked the oil and it wasn't discolored at all, and the coolant looked Ok too. But my float bowls are full of rust so I'm still leaning towards a fuel issue.

11-02-2010, 07:04 PM	#8
dammitmitchell the pollock Join Date: May 2008 Location: abilene, texas Posts: 4,423	Re: Need help with Engine troubles! aight good to know that your stuffs not overheated. hey try Kroil or PB blaster as a penetrant to loosen those bowls. wd-40 is water based and wont penetrate __________________ Jack of ALL trades, Master of none.. (but one... procrastination) Army vet 02-08 RIP El Jay! Miss you brother! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=343538 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=386042

11-02-2010, 11:02 PM	#9
csb#356 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pinehurst, Idaho Posts: 311	Re: Need help with Engine troubles! Thank you guys for all the help. But earlier today I fixed the problem, it was the distributor cap and rotor. Later on this evening I rebuilt the carb and when i finished I turned the key and it instantly went up in flames. Weird thing was I had been driving it all day



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