First, I say thanks to everyone who helped me finally get this engine running in my previous post under this topic, I feel it will be easier and less cluttered to post a new thread regarding different problems.

Some quick specs of this engine:
87+ Roller 350 bored .040
096 Vortec heads
Performer intake
Edelbrock 1406 600cfm carb
ZZ4 cam

Engine seems to start up, run, and idle pretty good, just a little stumble here and there, but what really has me so frustrated is when I actually go and DRIVE the car. If I am driving VERY slowly, it drives fine, doesnt have trouble going slow. When I step on the gas to go anything above slow, the car bogs down, jumps, hesitates, and a combination of the three, until it eventually "kind of" evens out. It will repeat this annoying, irritating sequence every single time I accelerate.

Another thing is this, lets say for example:
I go to first, bring it up to a speed where I am ready to shift to second, then shift into second, and then mash the gas, the car at first bogs down REAL bad, then stutters, and eventually goes, but when I let off the gas and let it coast in neutral, the engine dies, but always starts back up.

What could be causing these problems?
Is my carburetor too small for my engine?
Is this a sign of fowled plugs?

I am also curious about the intake that I have on the motor. The intake is made for a Rochester, because my original plan was to run a rochester carb, but my plans changed. The intake has 8 stud holes to accept a square bore carb OR a spread bore. I have a square bore carb on a spread bore intake, without an adapter (It bolts fine), could this pose a problem?

Thanks as always.

 

Heres the intake I have:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-2116/

Says for square bore, or spread bore, so I assume thats not the problem.

 

Its a fuel issue. What carb are you running ?

 

1406 edelbrock 600cfm

 

I think that it is a timing/spark problem.

Any ideas?

 

might be a spark and the timing curve. but I could be wrong whats your total timing and the RPM thats its in at?

 

Make sure you don't have a vacume leak at the base of your carb. the performer intakes are for both Q-jet and 4150 style carbs but where it flares out for the Q-jet may not have enough sealing surface for your carb just feel around the base while it is running and feel for any leaks. What type of ignition are you using?, and how much timing are you running?

 

sounds more like it's not getting fuel when you hit the gas man.
could be a fuel pump, could be the carb needs adjustment.
pay special attention to the accelerator pump and float level.

didn't the carb come with some instructions etc?
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_...406_manual.pdf

 

The carb and fuel pump are new, it gets proper pressure, and such. I think its a spark problem, because even while driving it stumbles. Ill check for vacuum leaks, and check the timing. I dont know that the timing is set at, I did it by ear, because I had to get the car home. I think it is too far advanced, though. I got a timing light, so I will check the car with the advance unhooked, and then with it hooked up to see if the advance curve is working or not.

Thanks for the ideas guys.

 

That intake is for a spread-bore, and your carburetor is a square bore.
You can run them together if you have the adapter plate.
It's a carb spacer that fits the two together in a way to prevent vacuum leaks.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/?...0adapter&dds=1

 

There is no use troubleshooting anything else until you get the timing correct.

 

Thats odd, because it has the bolt holes for both. I have it bolted right on the intake no problems.

 

Something else I was wondering.

Does timing too far advanced cause a hard start?

 

Yes. Will start fine cold, but hard starting when hot.
It means too much Initial Advance. You can normally run up to 10* and a little bit more without problems. 15* or more often causes starting problems and can break starters and/or flexplate teeth.

 

Ouch. So I am definitely fixing that. I dont want to break a newer starter and a brand new flexplate.

Thanks!

 

Allright, just came back inside from messing with the timing, and the more I mess with it, the more I suspect the timing tab is wrong.

When I fired it up, and didnt touch anything, put the light to it, it read all the way advanced on the tab, on the edge of the tab. I think to myself 'Woah, thats WAY too far advanced' so I retard the timing a bit, the engine starts to die, I give it some gas to keep it idling, and the more I retard the timing (mind you, I am still in the advanced timing section on the tab) the more the engine dies.

I finally just figured I would put the mark where I think it should be (4*PTDC-6*PTDC) and it just runs awful and dies, and wont start back up without my foot mashing the gas.

Something is wrong here, and it frustrates the hell outa me.

 

And also-
With the vac advance hooked up and revving the motor, there is no change in timing.

 

Here is what I plan on buying in order to get this damn thing running:

Adapter plate:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MRG-1932/

Distributor:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MSD-8362/

I think that the weights in the distributor I have are seized, not allowing proper timing advance throughout the curve. I got this distributor for free from a buddy in unknown condition. I guess I am lucky it works at all.

Will this adapter plate work properly for my needs?


Thanks.

 

I verified that this adapter will work for my application and placed my order.

I am tired of used crap not working.

(fingers crossed)

 

Got my parts in the mail today, and promptly installed them.

It kind of aggrevates me that the MSD distributor was mad in china, but it seems to work fine, I popped it in, and she fired right up.

Didnt get a chance to drive the car yet, but I will tomorrow.

I did, however, find that the advance weights on the distributor I had, one was rusted in the "in" position, and the other was rusted in the "out" position, and I couldnt turn the pointer at all, so the advance was totally fried on it. I am hoping for the best.

Results tomorrow.

 

Well....

To put it plainly, same problems.

My buddy said its a problem with the carburetor, and to me it also seems like a fuel delivery problem. My buddy said I should go with a Holley 600, and it should be fine, but I am not sure.

On a side note, would this cam be a good choice for my engine? It matches the RPM range of my intake fairly well, and I want the aggressive exhaust note:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HRS-180305-08/

Thanks.

 

I have a problem with my 88 Camaro as well. It happened a few weeks ago. I was letting it run and I turned it off. I left it off for about a few hours and I went back to start it and it wouldn't turn at all. I messed around with it and shirted it out of park and slammed it back in and it started. I tried to start it today and it won't turn again even when i took it out of park and put it back in.
Any ideas?