I went out today to practice launching with my new gears (3:73's and 28/11.5/15lt et streets). After 3 practice runs I missed second, hit the limiter set at 6800 and there was a large backfire. No problem it still ran but the next test there was something wrong. It falls on its face at 4000 RPMs. I took it home, turned it off, lifted the hood then tried to start it again and it was really hard to start. It needed lots of pedal and surged(got a spark and died) while turning it over. I've never had this happen before. I've missed gears but haven't hit the limiter or backfired like that.
The falling on it's face feels like the advance is stuck. I pulled the dist cap and inspected all the under the cap stuff and it looked fine. I pulled the plugs and they all looked good. I checked the maf and TPS and they were all in order. The FP is fine through the whole RPM range and I don't hear a miss or ping. Oil pressure and water look fine, not mixed at least. After checking all of that I started it again and it started a lot better but it still needed a little pedal and 3-4 seconds of starter. I used to be able to turn the key and it would fire right away.

What did I do?

A little engine backround:

383 w/190 AFR's
Super ram w/Accell base (all ported and gasket matched)
Holley 58mm TB
LT4 Hot cam (adv 2 deg)
1 3/4 SLP's

 

Dwayne:
You may have blown a gasket out somewhere or popped the EGR valve. Check for vacuum leaks. Also make sure the dist. didn't move
Don>>>

 

What symptoms go with a popped EGR valve.

When it starts it runs and idles fine. I'll do the hole vacuum line and timming check tomorrow. I thought that the dist might be the problem so the timing sounds logical.

I'll report back tomorrow.

 

Timing chain might have jumped a tooth. Check the Timing

 

timing chains dont jump teeth, unless they are really worn in which case they would break, i would replace the distributor cap and check the timing, then go from there that's the cheapest way

 

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I swapped MAFs and it starts fine now but here is a tick at idle. I haven't driven it, this is only idling and reving while parked. It comes and goes and gets louder depending on the RPM's.

I pulled the valve covers and adjusted the valves. A couple used a half turn but nothing was broken or bent or anything really wrong.

I checked the timing and it was ok.

Don I'm fearing the EGR valve popped like you said. Would that explain the inconsistent ticking?

I really didn't want to pull the SR but it looks like thats what I'll be doing today.

 

I was just about to pull the SR nut decided to start it and test it one more time. It looks like the other Maf was the starting problem. The tick is gone and this is what was left after the test lauch. Looks like it's working fine right now.