Took the beast [70 SS 350] for a stretch-the-muscles run this morning, idle is down to 500 vs. 800 rpms. I let it warm up a bit, has NO power, temp. usually runs 160 and after running it for about 20 minutes [from filling up tank errand], it was running less than 160 and *noticeable* dieseling on acceleration.

Feels as if it's running on less cylinders [read: no power]...?? My first thought, before taking it out on the road was it wasn't getting fuel, dunno? Engine just doesn't sound right...not healthy for sure.

BTW, fuel tank was EXTREMELY low on fuel [read: in the red] previous to refueling.

The last time I drove it [6-8 wks ago], NO ISSUES AT ALL.

Today, while pulling it into the garage, on a rolling stop, it died, it has NEVER done that before. Started up fine...

!!! WORRIED !!! pls help! TIA!

Gawd, I *hope* it's not a thrown rod...

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Lanette, Gilbert AZ ["Dakota Dawn" is my CB handle]
The Surgeon General states: "IT IS OK TO SMOKE YOUR COMPETITION!!!!"

|||||| 1970 SS Video (http://members.cox.net/cvista/images/70CamaroSS_short.wmv) ||||||
Pic's to my 1970 Camaro SS (http://community.webshots.com/user/dakdawn)!
My Mechanic -- DGI Performance in Mesa AZ -- Great Performance & Auto Shop! 480-830-0081

Sounds like you might have sucked up some crap in the fuel line or some water from condensation. I'd replace the fuel filter (hey, it's cheap and relatively easy to do) and see what happens. After you do that, start the car and let it warm up. Get a spray bottle of water and hit the exhaust manufold at each exhaust port to see if you've got any dead cylinders (it won't evaporate as quickly). Then if you find one do a compression test. If you don't, then see how the car runs and report back.

Thanks Batman, I shall do! :thumbs up: (hopefully!)

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Lanette, Gilbert AZ ["Dakota Dawn" is my CB handle]
The Surgeon General states: "IT IS OK TO SMOKE YOUR COMPETITION!!!!"

|||||| 1970 SS Video (http://members.cox.net/cvista/images/70CamaroSS_short.wmv) ||||||
Pic's to my 1970 Camaro SS (http://community.webshots.com/user/dakdawn)!
My Mechanic -- DGI Performance in Mesa AZ -- Great Performance & Auto Shop! 480-830-0081

OK maybe this is a silly question, but what about fuel quality? If it started to happen after you filled the tank is it possible the station owner increased his fuel stock with a little water? Back in the mid 80's it was quite common. Perhaps with the high cost of fuel it has come back into play.

If not I'd suspect contaminated fuel delivery system like Batman suggested.

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Dave

My door is always open, so feel free to leave anytime

[This message has been edited by Mstrtch (edited September 12, 2005).]

Since you ran it so low, remove the gas cap and blow some compressed air back down the fuel line. Your filter sock probably has some garbage trapped in it. Quite common on older cars. Does it die off if you get on the gas them recover when you let off? I'd look at the fuel sock and maybe flushing out the tank.

Sounds like a basket case, I'll take it off your hands for you http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/wink.gif

Had a similar problem once and found out I didn't tighten down the distributor hold down and the timing was out of whack. Just a thought and at least easy to check.

When all else fails go back to the basics. Look at the plugs, check the timing, and set the idle with a good vacuum guage. There is a good site with instructions on how to diagnose engine problems with a vacuum guage http://www.centuryperformance.com/vacuum.asp

First of all, Mstrtch, symptoms started BEFORE I filled the tank.

> 73454 asked, Does it die off if you get on the gas them recover when you let off?

No it doesn't die off, but the engine is struggling, in other words, I step on the gas pedal for a response and the motor doesn't react...motor responds lightly on the gas pedal.

!!! What are the symptoms of a bad rod? !!! I have never HEARD a thrown rod so I'm trying to tie this together.

The car feels like I'm pulling a super heavy load [read: pulling a heavy trailer], it may very well be the timing is out of wack, could this cause ALL THIS HAVOC, it's only 300 rpm off? Motor sure is pinging...dieseling on acceleration.

My current days off work, unfortunately, are filled with other priority issues. I may have to take it to my fav mechanic to weed the issues. I'm just worried to drive it anywhere, as to not make it worse should there be an internal motor issue.

Can the FULL GAS TANK help in anyway? [read: fuel sock, water condensation, and ?]

Sorry for all the Qs...Thanks one-and-all!

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Lanette, Gilbert AZ ["Dakota Dawn" is my CB handle]
The Surgeon General states: "IT IS OK TO SMOKE YOUR COMPETITION!!!!"

|||||| 1970 SS Video (http://members.cox.net/cvista/images/70CamaroSS_short.wmv) ||||||
Pic's to my 1970 Camaro SS (http://community.webshots.com/user/dakdawn)!
My Mechanic -- DGI Performance in Mesa AZ -- Great Performance & Auto Shop! 480-830-0081

Lanette, since the problems started before you filled it up, Batman's theory is plausible. Replace the filter first since you're symptoms do point to a clogged filter (no power & pinging b/c of a lean condition), and put a bottle of fuel conditioner in. In the "old" days, we poured a bottle of rubbing alcohol in the tank, that would help dissipate the water. Also check that you're timing has not jumped. Watch for erratic reading on the timing light that would indicate a loose timing chain or such. This doesn't sound like something mortal - good luck.

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79 Z28 Bought new, honeymoon ride, same wife, same car.

First smell the exhaust,, make sure some moron didn't dump diesil into the 'gasoline' tank at the station. (you know the mentality of Az truck drivers so you know WTF I'm talking about) If it smells like diesil DO NOT run the car. Next go ask the station if they have had any other complaints. With the big storms we had the other day, and the availibity of gas around here right now,,, it's VERY possible their tank was about out and you got the last little bit of water and crap in the bottom of the tank.

If it was a rod or broken parts you would hear the distinct metalic CRASH of components slamming into each other in the crankcase. Not to worry just yet girl, it's most likely filter, bad fuel or simply a distributor that wasn't tightened down snug and slipped. I know you know your car like the back of your hand so if it were something serious, you would have heard the carnage begin with a noticable change in her soft spoken voice.
Start with the easy stuff, drain the float bowls and see what is in the carb, change the fuel filter and see if you have any 'bubbles' of water in the fuel (drain some through fuel line).
Just keep in mind water does not compress nor does it burn. Running the car with 'wet' fuel could get ugly so be cautious until you find the source of the problem.

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Proud member of the "bright side"
Track toy (http://www.small-block-chevy.com/nova.htm) 9.94 @ 133 n/a Small Block (and we aint done yet!)
S/ST 7080
ET X708
SG 708Q

Weekend Grocery getter (http://www.small-block-chevy.com/md_toy.htm) 12.3's through the mufflers on DOT's, in street trim

I think it is the vinyl top weighing down the car. Remove it as a precaution. LOL.

Do you still run the old school points style distributor? Find an old geezer mechanic (one of Marv's friends, in other words) and have the ignition checked out.

The points ignition in my 69 Camaro recently crapped out. Rather than mess with it I threw it in a box to save in case a "numbers matching" guy becomes a future owner and installed an HEI I had laying around.

[This message has been edited by MikeM79 (edited September 12, 2005).]

lanette when was the last time you did a tune-up ??. another item to consider is a bad/weak coil this would cause a very weak spark.have you talked with or brought your car to DGI performance??.now with the motor pinging/dieseling low idle RPM this is a perfect example of ignition timing off.do you have a timing light available to check your timing.

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1972 chevy camaro ss
425HP 350sbc old school build-up

restification in progress 70's baldwin motion NHRA gasser with old school day2 parts
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if it's to loud your to old

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by CorkyE:
CorkyE wrote -- This doesn't sound like something mortal - good luck.</font>

Thanks, hope so. When my baby doesn't run right, I freak!

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Marv Davis:
[b]smelled the fuel, it's definitely gas.</font>

A few quick items I could get to today, with my hand, I gently tried to turn the distributor (HEI) back & forth, no movement.

2nd: I looked at the clear, see-through fuel filter, I can't tell if I would *see* visible gunk in the filter or maybe the filter type I have, it filters through the center (?) - so you can't see the gunk. ..?..dunno..?.. Another observation, maybe nothing, but I'll state it anyway; the clear fuel filter was NOT full of fuel, 1/3 full. Should be expected I suspect because of the pressure is not there? I did notice the liquid in the filter was dirtier(?) than usual.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by MikeM79:
I think it is the vinyl top weighing down the car. Remove it as a precaution. LOL.</font>

Me like it tho! http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/smile.gif

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by muscl car:
when was the last time you did a tune-up?</font>

Last tune-up was 2+ years ago. I didn't wish to drive it to the dr. (DGI) as I wasn't sure if it would make it.

I don't have a timing light, but maybe I can talk to my busy neighbor...? Or better yet, I should buy one... http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/wink.gif

I have a couple cars shows lined up soon, so maybe I'll tackle a few things tomorrow...cross fingers I can get the SS there.

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Lanette, Gilbert AZ ["Dakota Dawn" is my CB handle]
The Surgeon General states: "IT IS OK TO SMOKE YOUR COMPETITION!!!!"

|||||| 1970 SS Video (http://members.cox.net/cvista/images/70CamaroSS_short.wmv) ||||||
Pic's to my 1970 Camaro SS (http://community.webshots.com/user/dakdawn)!
My Mechanic -- DGI Performance in Mesa AZ -- Great Performance & Auto Shop! 480-830-0081

[This message has been edited by dakdawn (edited September 12, 2005).]

Just another toss in. Couldn't that effect also be causd by a stretched timing chain/skipped/lost a tooth?

I'm leaning towards the tune-up/ bad fuel/clogged sock theory just because:

1) You never post that you beat the hell out of the car

2) You mention running the tank nearly dry

3) 2+ years since a tune-up

All these things add up. Most of it is cheap, simple stuff, but time intensive. Spend the $ on a mechanic if you must, but regardless, its prolly nothing you can't handle (except adjusting the dwell, cuz I don't know a damn thing about it other than I don't deal with it - HEI's only http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/smile.gif)

Good luck, and drop the idea of a rod http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/smile.gif

fuel pump

Pardon me, but where & what the heck is a fuel sock? Is this a filter-type thing from the tank to the fuel line out of the tank...just a dumb guess...

HEI here...btw.

[This message has been edited by dakdawn (edited September 13, 2005).]

The fuel sock is inside the gas tank. It's on the end of the fuel supply line that sticks doen deep in the tank, next to the float arm.

It's like a filter to keep any trash, dirt, rust, etc that gets in your tank out of your fuel line/system/carb.

The "holes" in it is pretty big so it don't filter smaller stuff out, just large stuff that could clog the line. That's why you need to run another filter before an elec. fuel pump, or after a mech. fuel pump.

Advance weights sticking in the distributor?
That will throw your timing out of whack very badly.

BTW... Welcome Back Lanette!
You were missed.

Did you get this figured out?? I'm just curious what ended up being the culprit.

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Dave

My door is always open, so feel free to leave anytime