So I've been having some issues on my 86 TA. It has a 350 with edelbrock carb, edelbrock intake, pro comp mech adv distributor w/ 6al box, comp xtreme energy cam, and some internal goodies.


I've been having some idle issues recently, and no matter what I do to the carb and timing nothing helps. I'm sitting at 22 degrees initial timing, 46 degree total, and 17'' of idle vacuum. This is where it seems to run best. The most recent thing I have done is install the new distributor and box. Ever since then the idle wont be smooth below 1000 rpm, and it hunts. When in gear, it will drop from 1000 rpm and smooth to 400-600 rpm and stumbling, and back. It will just keep going back and forth even when warm. Also, there is a hesitation when accelerating from a stop.


Any ideas? In the past I have had some issue with the carb dropping one side of the idle circuit. After a good cleaning things would return to normal. Could the carb finally be throwing in the towel? Or could the distributor be a tooth off?


I don't have any time during the week to troubleshoot due to work and its my daily driver, but I can do some quick checks. Just to cover what I have tried so far with no changes;


-disconnect brake booster and plug line
-disconnect all vacuum accessories and plug line
-spray for vacuum leaks - none found
-add ground jumper to 6al box


Any suggestions are greatly appreciated, thanks guys.

 

That's a lot of timing......most sbc's get away with 6-8. I'd want to find out if that's accurate and then troubleshoot from there.