Wife wanted a burnout! Now the car is sick ( the cough kind, not the cool kind)!!!

[wsutard]

Hey, I'm learning.
So do I check timing cold or warm?

 

[wsutard]

Also, noticed that my electronic choke on the edelbrock doesn't actually activate the flapper when turn it. I watched an edelbrock vid on how to set the choke and when he turned it, the flapper opened and closed. Mine does not do this.

 

[wsutard]

Ok, just tried to start it up to test the vacuum. Super hard to start. Got it going, man, super low and rough. Hand gave it a little throttle. BAM, backfire out the top of the carb.

 

[gtxno1]

check it at an idle what is the needle doing at what does it read is the engine cammed at all

 

[gtxno1]

backfiring check the ignition system cap and rotor and so on the valve train as well the exhaust valves cause that broken spring bent pushrod etc. that vacuum reading will show valve train issues as well as others

 

[wsutard]

Here is the vacuum at fast idle, choke on, 1500ish rpm.


Here is vacuum at normal idle, 800ish rpm.

 

[wsutard]

So it seems to be idling fine now. Yesterday it wouldn't hold its idle, which was set at 800. Now it does.

 

[Lionized]

Hey, I'm learning.
So do I check timing cold or warm?

Warm/normal operating temperature.

 

[gtxno1]

do you have a cam in there the needle is not fluctuating so valve train should be fine the vacuum is low if you have a good sized cam that is normal how long have you been sitting a little water in the fuel can kill you do you treat your fuel if you are fine now could be fuel contamination when you did the burnout fuel sloshed to one end of the tank and sucked in a little crap major issues do not go away they stay

 

[wsutard]

do you have a cam in there the needle is not fluctuating so valve train should be fine the vacuum is low if you have a good sized cam that is normal how long have you been sitting a little water in the fuel can kill you do you treat your fuel if you are fine now could be fuel contamination when you did the burnout fuel sloshed to one end of the tank and sucked in a little crap major issues do not go away they stay

It has a Crowler Cam. 285 dur, 480 lift, 110 deg. From what I have been told, it is a mildly aggressive cam.

Prior to me it hadn't been driven a ton in two years. I guess it could be some water from the tank.

 

[wsutard]

seems like a vacuum of 10 at 800 idle is low?

 

[Dennis H]

Man, I love this! Lets confirm that it just needed exercise. Bent rods, muffler bearings, bahhhh.

 

[gtxno1]

Lol thats funny believe it or not vacuum gets low with aggressive cams obviously you do not have power brakes or you would have a pump or canister assembly for vacuum reserve

 

[wsutard]

So, what is everyone thinking? I have yet to pull the valve covers to check the rods. However, seems to be running fine now. I would rather not pull the covers if I didnt have to.

 

[gtxno1]

If you are fine you are good bent pushrods and broken springs etc do not go away they stay put a little dry gas in or you can actually take a fuel sample there is something you can buy to confirm that there is actually water in it

 

[wsutard]

If you are fine you are good bent pushrods and broken springs etc do not go away they stay put a little dry gas in or you can actually take a fuel sample there is something you can buy to confirm that there is actually water in it

Your period use leaves a little to be desired. I get what you are saying. I'm going to run it down to the auto parts store and get some dry gas to toss in there.

 

[gtxno1]

if it was water in the fuel you will need a case lol it does not go away that easy usually dropping the tank cures it

 

[Dennis H]

Maybe drop the oil. Examine the magnetic drain plug which I am sure that you have. Replenish with Amsoil 10-40 Signature Synthetic high zinc. Wix filter. All of this for peace of mind. Then, get it up to operating temperature, get your girl, and do a 6k smoky. And don't let so much time go by til the next one. I told you these guys would have you dismantling the whole car ;)

 

[Dennis H]

if it was water in the fuel you will need a case lol it does not go away that easy usually dropping the tank cures it

Drive it. Put Sta-Bil in and drive it. The best way to keep these cars up and reliable is to drive them. You don't have to beat it, just give it occasional exercise. That's why they were built. That's why we own them. To enjoy them the way the designers and engineers wanted us to.

 

[wsutard]

Maybe drop the oil. Examine the magnetic drain plug which I am sure that you have. Replenish with Amsoil 10-40 Signature Synthetic high zinc. Wix filter. All of this for peace of mind. Then, get it up to operating temperature, get your girl, and do a 6k smoky. And don't let so much time go by til the next one. I told you these guys would have you dismantling the whole car ;)

I actually have some Z-Rod sitting in the garage right now, but it's 20-50. Will that be ok to use? Or should I return it for 10-40?