Appreciate the help guys -- have some updates..

Had a friend bring his Snap on light over - found the car to be advanced just off the index marker, lined it up, now the pops have moved to the exhaust (go figure). I noticed with the EST bypass pluged in @ idle, the car is still running 0 deg? I'm not sure if I'm comprehending how everything meshes, but shouldn't the light reflect normal idle timing (15-20 deg?).

I'm going to pick up a compression tester tomorrow, check all of the cyls, and if they come back OK - the intake manifold is getting pulled and gaskest replaced. I really can't think what would cause low vacuum and possible air in the EGR track other then a leak at the intake manifold.

I'll probably let the car idle after doing the compression check and watch the BLM to see if it's showing lean. I might have my wideband back to throw on the car just for SNG's.


Hope everyone had a good 4th and thanked an old smelly wrinkly Vet
Nate


CTS = Coolant Temp (I'm customed to it being refered to as ECT)? If so, using WinALDL shows it accurate.

 

Hey Nate, Happy Independance Day to you and thatnk you for your service to our country. So you changed timing and the pop moved. That would point away from a valve issue as a leaking valave would either cause a pop out the intake or exhaust depending on whether its an intake valve or exhaust valve. It wont move with timing. As far as your timing with EST connected goes, EST manages timing for the best possible engine performance at any operating condition. It may put it anywhere. Also if you didnt clear the code 43 after setting timing, the EST may still have been in fault mode.

When I suggested that you look for a clogged cat, I hadnt noticed that you already said it revs fine above 1000 rpm. That wouldnt be a clogged cat. Youre on the right track I think to check compression and then look for a leaking intake manifold. If you had access to a smoke machine it would save you pulling the manifold to find a leak. Did you ever look at integrator to see if it was lean or rich? If your tune up wasnt new, I would ask you to look for any sign of an ignition misfire or cross fire.

 

Im still very puzzled as to why youre getting an increase in idle with the EGR open. Have you tried removing the EGR valve to check its condition? Also check the ports and gasket. Weird stuff.

 

Well, I owe everyone an update:

I have a garage now, and the intake manifold is off. It looked like it was still factory as far as I can tell. The rear ports had metal inserts marking their orientation.

More to follow...

SEACREST OUT

 

Update: She's back up and running! Finally had some time to pick up new EGR and TBI gaskets. Thanks ASE and RF !!!