For reference I own an 85 Berlinetta with an LG4 and a T56. On my trip back to college this evening I stopped at a rest area. When I came back to my car, there was a trail of anitfreeze coming from under my car, about a cup full. I checked under the hood and under the car and could not tell where it came from, everything was dry. The radiator and overflow tank were both full. I checked the temp gage, it was at 200 which is normal for my car with a 195 thermostat. The coolant on the ground was cold, so I thought it wasn't mine.

This is where my problems start. The car started fine, but when I when to let the clutch out and give it some gas the car started shaking really bad, esp the shifter. I tried reving the engine in neutral with the clutch pessed and released and nothing shook. When in a gear, the car would shake more the more gas I gave it, but if I let the car coast, there would be no shaking at all.
At the next exit I stopped and checked the oil. There was no coolant in the oil. While I was checking the oil I noticed some smoke on the passenger side header.

Does this shaking sound like I have a spark plug that's not firing or something else? The shaking/vibration seems worse the farther you press the gas bedal when there's a load on the engine. Is there any easy way to check to see if all of the cylinders are firing? Could the shaking be related to the possible coolant leak?

Thanks,
Dave

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Better to keep one's mouth closed and be thought a fool, than to open
it and remove all doubt.(Mark Twain)
Homepage of VTCamaro/Arntzman
Need Wiring Diagrams??
darntz@vt.edu

 

Sounds like a dead miss. Possibly a blown head gasket, if the coolant on the ground is any indication. Hopefully the coolant was not from your engine.

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'84Z28/'92 305TPI
'92 complete rear suspension/PBR disc/Posi/3:42
Light weight 34.5mm stabilizer bar in front
23mm sta. bar in rear
rear lowered 1" by cutting 1 1/4 coils of '84Z28 springs
comp cam, flowmaster
TB coolantbypass/shutoff valve to heater core
MAT relocated
Ram-Air(home-made) gutted air-box
IROC ground effects/wheels GY245/50's
700R4 superior shift kit/ corvette servo(excellent shift kit BTW) Rebuilt engine and transplanted it myself. Love this engine!
LOW performance people should drive low performance vehicles!

 

Dave,

Sounds like you are experiencing either a dead miss under load or possible cross-firing of cylinders. In either case, I'd check the plugs. A dead cylinder should be evident by plug condition. You might want to check the wires while you're at it. Weak insulation can cause spark loss, and an open wire can cause the spark to cross-fire to a different cylinder.

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Later,
Vader
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"No matter how hard you try you can't stop us now"
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0

 

Thanks for the replies so far.

What should I look for on the plugs? The plugs are AC Delco and are about a year old. Hopefully I'll have some time tomorrow or this week to check out the plugs and wires. The wires are Jacobs and are about two and a half years old. I'll check the archives for recommendations for new wires.

Thanks again,
Dave

 

I think the problem is that T56, Ill trade you for My Beautifully Working 700r

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85 Z28 - Daily Driver
60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )

 

hehehe nice try

 

Well I think I found the problem today. One of my plug wires was resting on my headers and there were arc marks and soot on my headers. The insulation was burned through on the wire. I have a new wire on it's way and hopefully that will solve the problem. Gonna pull soem plugs tomorrow just for kicks.

Sorry, that tranny isn't up for trade. I lucked out and got one straight from the junkyard with a B&M shifter and an LT4 pressure plate and clutch. I have my 700R4 if you want it

-Dave

------------------
Better to keep one's mouth closed and be thought a fool, than to open
it and remove all doubt.(Mark Twain)
Homepage of VTCamaro/Arntzman
Need Wiring Diagrams??
darntz@vt.edu

 

yep...guarantee that's the problem...mine did it too.

I also have a 700 if anyone wants the POS...it's toast. The T56 suits my car nicely....if I can only keep a rear end in it.

KElly

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If you've gotta fix it, fix it better than stock.

 

if your changing your plugs...i was informed the other day to take the front tires off.......i didnt find this out till after.......i have a s**T load of scratches and bruises on my arms from taking them out from the top....just thought id share....