Hello. I picked up my 84 camaro z28 on Wednesday. It's the 305 with the 700r4. Beautiful car. Will be great ride once it get it on the road. I bought it with the understanding I need to replace the tranny-which I'll be doing in a day or two. I do have a few questions though-other things I've noticed. It idles around 1500 rpm. Seems high. I assume that's to compensate for the tranny. It's losing first and soon the rest of the gears. Also oil pressure fluctuates depending on throttle. Sending unit? Pump? Last, there is a freshly rebuilt holley 650 on her. That seems big. Maybe a 600? I know that's a lot to ask and I do apologize. Anyway, thanks in advance and hopefully I'll be out enjoying my camaro by midweek.

 

it should idle around 800rpm without tranny there 600 with, whats the oil preasure with engine hot at idle?2krpm?what do you mean by (fluctuates)

carb wise i have a 550 and its great get 30 mpg with my combo if i dont stomp on it.

 

Warmed up it's at the halfway mark with slight movements slightly above or below. When I first fired it up the last time i drove it, at idle it was reading about a quarter and it rose as accelerated. At 65 it was reading about three quarters. Hope that better describes the fluctuation. Thanks for a speedy reply. Just want to put some fears to bed. I'm already in it for a tranny. Dont wanna have many more issues...

 

i prefer edelbroks to hollys for a DD car. just my opion. seem to get better gas millage and more reliable. 1500 RPM is high anything under 1k is good. but ya what affliction said is ideal. is the oil clean? as long as it stays abouve 15ish PSI your good so the first small notch get the tranny fixed tho first just to make sure

 

Make sure you have the kickdown cable hooked up on the 700r4s it controls line pressure also which can lead to failures. 15 psi at idle is decent once hot. I have 60 to 70 cold idle and 15 to 20 psi at hot idle, once rpms go up you should see more.

 

Thanks for the answers. That pretty much calms my fears about engine trouble. To answer the question- yes the oil is clean. Appears to have just been changed. As far as idle, I think the previous owner may have jacked up the idle because of the tranny. I'll adjust the idle screw once I get the tranny In. One more thing. Should I replace the rear main seal while I'm swapping transmissions? Never did one before.

 

if rear main isnt leaking dont do it(if it isnt broke dont fix it)as far as ur oil whats ur rpm at 65?the oil preasure should be a min of 18 at 2000 rpm if its around there( when hot) ur good,as oil thins as it heats up hints 2 numbers on oil 5w-30
5=how thin it is when hot. 30 how thick it is when cold.high oil preasure means oils to thick id stick around 10w-30 depending on where you are

 

Oil pressure changes with rpm's are normal. Oil pressure should be higher when cold (oil is thicker), lower when warm (oil is thinner), and fluctuate with RPM's (increases with a throttle stomp).

On the TV cable - this is mucho mucho important to save your new tranny!!!!!

You need a TV cable geometry corrector attached to the carb for the TV cable to connect to. The TV cable is very sensitive, and has EVERYTHING to do with tranny gear changes - so it has to be almost perfect, and there's only ONE adjustment to it, the RIGHT adjustment. These aren't just "kickdown" cable like the old days - the TV cable connection to the carb, and correct tension at throttle changes is really critical. You also need a good strong throttle bracket that doesn't flex any with throttle movement - the TV cable puts alot of pressure on the bracket. So rwad up on the TV cable, it's connection, and it's adjustment so that you don't fry your new tranny.

Engine idle is a product of idle adjustment on the carb, and timing. Since this motor has been carbed, your timing probably needs adjusted, and then carb idle set accordingly after timing set in a good spot.

I'm assuming we have a vacuum-advanced distributor in there now?

 

Thanks so much for that valueable info. I am not sure if it's a vacuum advance distributor. I assume it is. It's an aftermarket accell. The info regarding the tv cable is much appreciated. I won't actually be doing the work. My buddy who ran a shop for 20 years has a lift and all the equipment, so he'll be doing it for me. I don't know if he is aware of how crucial this is on this particular car, but rest assured, he will be reading your post when work begins. I assume as a competent mechanic he will know exactly what you are talking about?

 

Also. Does the statement "since this motor has been carbed" mean that in its stock form, this was a fuel injected motor?