Well, my 77 is ALMOST on the road! The problem I'm up against right now is this- Car starts and idles fine, timing is set at TDC and appears to be advancing fine, stab the throttle and it backfires through the carb (sometimes), roll into the throttle and it pops and farts out the tailpipe (and won't accelerate any more) at about 3000 RPM, under load (actually driving) it makes almost no power. Two things I'm suspecting are- bad power valve, and the exhaust flap-gizmo on the passenger-side manifold. Can anyone tell me which way to wire that flap open?(up or down?)
Thanks.
Chris

I see one problem. Timing isn't supposed to be set at TDC, you need between 10-14 ATDC on a carbbed car.

Your timing is off, every symptom you described points to it.
Mine is set close to 6 degrees Before TDC at idle, have the car running and slowly turn your distributor, your RPM's will most likely pick up as you get close to where it should be, then adjust the idle down. I'm pretty sure you have fowled your plugs with the carb back firing, you might want to clean them or pick up another set.


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79Z Made with tools - Not chop sticks

Wow...that's quite a difference of opinions!My timing scale goes from 0 to 8 deg. BTDC...so anything ATDC would be a bit of a guess. Any clues on that flap in the exhaust manifold??
Thanks!!
Chris

Typo alert!!!

Undoubtedly 1978LT meant to type in BTDC (before top dead center).

12 to 14 is a good number for starters. You won't believe how much difference it will make if you now at TDC.

[This message has been edited by MikeM79 (edited May 25, 2005).]

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by greenacarina:
Any clues on that flap in the exhaust manifold??
</font>

That's the EFE valve. Push it down to open it.

OK, here's a question that I expect a mixed response on...
Where do you guys connect your vacuum advance? Manifold vacuum or ported vacuum?

Manifold, always. Much better idle

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Rick WI:
Manifold, always. Much better idle</font>

Ditto here.

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John Wright
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Ok, now go change all your passwords :)

Agreed - Manifold

But I did connect mine to a new Edelbrock 1405 (600cfm), did it when I first put the carb on, ran and idled fine, didn’t see a need to change it.
FYI: the other port on this carb is timed for the auto trans.


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79Z Made with tools - Not chop sticks

I got it nailed!!!!!!!!!!!
It was something with the distributor....I can only guess the pickup coil since the control unit was new (maybe defective I suppose), but I put a different distributor in (same coil and cap) and it actually runs like it's supposed to!!!! I am &gt;SO&lt; freakin' STOKED!!! Now I can move on to the fun stuff! http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/smile.gif
Chris