Alright. I'm having trouble with my 85 z28. My car is idle really rough and kinda hard to start. It also has loss of power, almost dies, idle sticks, I pulled a spark plug and it was black, and the car struggles when accelerating. I also hear a slight popping. I had my timing set by a garage since I don't know **** about it and they said it was at 35 and they set it to 10, which is factory for the carburated 5.7 350 73 Monte Carlo engine I have but it still is running like ****. Now he said something about my valves/valve or cam and others said that my timing must be off. I'm so confused how this started. I haven't driven it at all this year and I don't know what the hell is wrong. I'm probably going to sell it anyway because I can't figure this out and I've put too much money into trying to figure this out. Anyone have an actual answer or idea please help otherwise I'm just going to sell it as is and leave it for someone else. I've also heard my air/fuel mixture is off or I have a vacuum leak, a knock. Idk what the hell to believe. I looked for leaks, I know my header gasket was leaking but would it really make it chug along and idk what the popping is. I looked up timing problems and popping was a symptom of bad timing, early detonation I guess? But what would my timing have to be at or is it something else.

 

carb or FI? any codes present? have you considered a major tune up? I understand your frustration.but imagine how youd feel if you did sell it, and it was a simple easy fix?

 

Its a carb and no computer so can't pull any codes. I have new plugs and wires but I'm not sure if timing is the problem or where it should be at. I know I would feel like that but I haven't been able to drive it over a year because of starting issues and I finally get her started and now this. Im so irritated. I don't know what to do. I'm sick of pouring money into a car and paying insurance for a vehicle I don't drive. What should I do?

 

"they said it was at 35 and they set it to 10, which is factory for the carburated 5.7 350 73 Monte Carlo engine I have but it still is running like ****"

If they said it was at 35 degrees advanced and they turned it back to 10, I ask how did it run BEFORE the shop messed with it. How does your harmonic balancer look? Does it look like it is intact, or is the rubber look like its messed up? If so, it could have shifted and that would throw your timing WAY off when trying to adjust.
Also, you could have jumped a tooth/teeth in the timing chain and gear department. Long shots but have to ask.

 

So basically you have a non-smogged , carb'ed 350.

Assume all stock internal?

What kind of carb is on it now, and did it ever run well before?

One bad thing about letting things sit for a year, not running, play's hell with the fuel system, especially the carb.

 

Yes and a holley carb. Everything is stock from what I know. Everything used to run fine. I know I have taken my cap off to replace the um ignition module in the distributor because I had some hot starting problem and I have messed with my fuel/air mixture before and have changed my plugs just a year ago and now they are black so

 

I mean it ran but wouldn't for here and there. It started, then didn't then did.

 

Hmnn...'73 would have been points I thought?

Do you have a coil on top of the cap? Maybe converted to HEI-just wondering.

Not sure how it cold have ran +/-35*'s, possible the balancer slipped, but then once set back to 10, seems it wouldn't run at all again...

Anyways, if she was popping through the intake, it may have lost the power valve in the carb...it might be a place to start with having the carb rebuilt, especially after sitting for so long...and the shop telling you the AF is off.

 

There is some separate piece I can take off and there is some black thing in there.

 

Well I just got done with the plugs and new wires and nothing changed. Some wires were burned and cut and all plugs were black and smelled like fuel. The clicking or whatever the sound is definitely coming from the back of the engine behind it. Idk what it would be? Maybe exhaust?

 

Forget the clicking sound for now, either the ignition is totally weak, or the carb needs to be gone through.

Maybe put up a pick of your dizzy, we can see what you have.

 

This is what my plug looks like. BTW I haven't messed with my timing yet. Just plugs and wires

 

One blurry pic, can't really much

Was more concerned about what distributor you have in the engine.

 

Well its kinda dark so my tablet sucks lol but it says delco remy