Well....I recently picked up a 84 Trans AM 15th anniversary edition....The problem is I have no timing marks so I've been adjusting the timing by ear, what should I listen for?

My car is diesaling out when its warm, but I've adjusted the timing all different ways still getting the problem. I've even added a solution donw the carb to burn out the carbon depoisits...still no luck..?

Also, when I apply full throttle the carb likes to hesitate for a momoent then kick in.

I've failed emmisions too many hydrocarbons and CO, plugs are fine , cap, rotor,wires,fuel filter, all fine...

Can anyone lead me to the right direction...? My idle is smooth at 1000 and rough at 600, I havent adjusted it through the carb, just from advanced to retarded timing...BTW the main vacumm line out of the carb was open, I plugged it and it seemd to run rougher..IDEAS PLEASE!

 

You have to start somewhere. If the engine trim is stock, then you should have timing marks. Normally, they are near impossible to find, let alone see. Remember to unplug the computer from the distributor, before adjusting.
Then you can consider other things.
B.T.W., with the comp unhooked from the distributor, the timing is fixed at about 6degrees BTDC. See that with the wires hooked up, timing normally changes with warm-up, acceleration, vacuum changes, etc..
Also, you do not know the history of the car. Is the cam stock?
You may want to check the vacuum at idle, too.
Good luck.

 

Well, I got the timing adjusted, still getting "run-on"...I'm also getting black spec deposits shooting out of my exhaust. So I take it my car is running rich? but why? I need to install my o2 sensor but that shouldnt make that much of a difference...

Any thoughts/ideas is appreciated

Thanks

 

By the way the motor is a stock L69 305 H.O. 119,000

 

You are forcing the computer to guess what to do. The Lamdba sensor (O2 sensor), along with the MAP sensor (vacuum), and temp sensor (not the one for the dash guage), are the top three computer sensors.
All that soot will clog the catalyst. Install the damn sensor. If it is not new (new ones have the sealing paste installed), be certain that you use the correct sealing paste. The sensor must have a good ground with the exhaust pipe. The paste also insures that you can remove it in a few years.
Let us know what happens.

 

I am idleing at 600-700 in drive, my car seems to have more power now with the timing. I'm getting run-on but not too bad (one click back with stop it)....I'll be putting in the o2 sensor tommorow, I'll let you know what happens.........

 

I changed the o2 sensor, no more run-on, yet..., still getting soot coming out of the exhaust on first start up, along with a little whitish/blue smoke...

But I will mention that my car has increased acceleration greatly

 

Do not worry about the blue puff of exhaust. We all have old cars, with dried out valve seals. You are on the right track. Very nice.