I know this is a third gerneration Camaro, but the way the engine has been modified it's like a second. I am a former 1st gen owner. I am hoping someone might be able to point us in the right direction or help us find a performance shop in ChicagoLand that could help.

This is all about my 17 year old son’s high school senior auto project from last June when he graduated. He has dreamed of owning a Camaro sinse he was a little kid.

In October of last year he bought a 91 RS with a 305 with a stock 700R4 Trans. The car was all stock with 90k miles on it. He pulled the engine and replaced it with a 350 (from a Chevy 2500 passenger van)that he re-built and he had it punched and stroked to a 383, 9.7:1 pistons a fairly hot cam (I don’t know the exact specs), an Edlebrock dual plane manifold and a Holly 750 and headers. He is using the stock 700R4 trans with a 2500 stall converter. He changed the rear end out to a posi and disc brakes. The timing seems to be set correctly. The fuel pump is a Holley electric. It shows 7psi at the carb. That seems low to me, but I’ve been out of the game for so long now.

Here’s the problem. The engine starts and runs and revs good, but won’t idle below 1000rpm. If he adjusts the idle over 1000rpm to keep it running and drops it into drive it dies. It just won’t idle in drive. The carb seems to be adjusted according to the manual. He can drive it, but he has to ride the gas and brake and we all know that’s bad. The car has no guts in drive, but in 1st it hauls butt.

I don’t know where to go from here. My Camaro was a 67 302 in 1975 and it’s been so long I don’t have the skill or knowledge to help him. He is out of school now and his shop teacher kinda pushed him out the door last June so he’s no help.

This kid has so much time, effort, sweat and money in a car that just won’t run for him. He starts Triton University in the advanced auto program in a few weeks and he is interning at our local Chevy dealer. Even the mechanics there are at a loss. He is starting to get discouraged and he is a really decent kid. I gotta find a way to help him figure this car out.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Dave

 

Sounds like the carb isn't set up right, power valve maybe too much for the vacuum the engine makes at idle so it's opening. Or maybe it's just jetted way wrong.

Did anyone actually set up the Holley carb or just toss it on from the box? If it was dialed in, post the specs of the main jets and power valve as well as how much vacuum it pulls at idle.

 

I would advance the initial timing, tune the idle mixture screws and check for vacuum leaks.