I just purchased an 82 berlinetta 305 4bbl. The guy I bought it from said it would need repair on the vacuum system. That's question 1- how do I track down where the problem may be?

It starts pretty decently but then the choke light comes on and it tries to die. If I give it a little gas it will stay running but as soon as I put it in reverse or drive it'll do it again. Question 2- is this from the vacuum issue or something else?

I know it has an oil leak but I'm having a bit of trouble tracking it down (I live in am apartmemt complex that has a strict no working on vehicles policy and I don't really have any place to do work on it). Once the car is running for a bit you notice white smoke. When I looked under the car it was burning oil off the exhaust (inbetween the headers and the cat) question 3- where could it be leaking from that it ends up there?

I'm really sorry if some of this seems obvious to answer. I have a very intense love of cars and especially camaros but I'm a work in progress lol. I still have a ton to learn.

 

Also sorry if this isn't the right thread to post in

 

Vacuum leak I believe you can deteck by spraying water on the lines, try to confine the space sprayed to easily locate the spot that's leaking. When it surges up (as opposed to choking) i believe you have found your leak. Replace the line or at least replace that section.

As far as oil leak, could be many things. You could have no valve seals left in the head letting it just drain in as she warms up, or could be something a little more drastic. Someone else may be able to point you in which side of the motor to rebuild, top or bottom.

Also, where are you located, we have thousands of people on the forum, most willing to help or accomodate helping you get your car up and running the way she should be.

 

I think the leak is coming from the seal but I'm hoping soon I can get it jacked up and get a better look. Also, with the vacuum issue... would a leak or loss of flow omly result from a broken/worn hose or could it be a different component?

I live in southwest tucson, AZ

 

For the most part, everything is cast in metal that vacuum runs through. I'm not going to say it is impossible, but 9 out of 9.1 times it's a plastic vacuum lines or the rubber angled boots at the end.

 

Do you know if that could cause my choke light to come on and make it idle a little rough and die?

 

I'm not positive if the choke was vacuum or not, I had an '84 with carbed v6, but didn't dable too much with it, i'm more of a FI guy. If it was vacuum controlled, it could be possible that it's not activating properly. If the carb hasn't been rebuilt in a while, it will help drastically, but a vacuum leak can cause iratic idle and running problems in general, which would include staying running.

 

Well since its light out I am going to see if I can locate the leak in the vacuum line. You have been hugely helpful and if you or anyone else can think of anything else just let me know I'll update later.

 

If the car is fresh to you, I would recommend a tune up if you know it hasn't had one in a while. Cap/rotor/plugs, wires, fuel filter all would do a world of difference. GL