i have a 84' s10 4x4 tahoe with a 2.8l v6 engine it idles at 3.7 when on and 4.7 when key is disenganged, it seems to me my tach is bad cause for some reason i have to shift every second cause it redlines at 6k rpm.

searching through a repair manual i found that the 2.8l fireing order is dif then on my truck, not a big difference the order on distributer is the same but the #1 is on right side and then 123456, the book says it should be on the left side 123456, and this could be why it lacks power.

a key note is that it does need a new cap and rotor, plug wires,water pump, and oil change. parts are on order but back to the fireing order this just doesn't make any since to me why a v6 needs to be shifted at 10mph 15 mph 23 mph 36-37 mph and to top that my tach bottoms out in fifth gear at 55 (past redline) when i bought the truck i figured a v6 would have more power then a honda 4 cylinder but damn they are weak for being american made.

i played with the distributer a bit and the carb screw but could only get it to 2k rpm and even then it backfires and dies. was messing with the carburator linkage and pulled one of the bars, i think is was part of the choke couldn't honestly say and it kicked down, didn't check the idle quick enough cause i was messing with distributer and died. started it back up with dist in the right position i guess and 3k rpm again tried pulling the same stunt and nothing happened im all outa ideas.

can anyone lead me in the right direction on possible solutions i have the book for the truck not manufacture book but the 20$ one. ty

 

I have a complete 2.8l v6 out of a running driving bird with 93k on it. It was swapped out for a 350. fuel injected (an easy change if not wanted). Cheesy paint job on it and in need of a gasket kit but otherwise great. Pacesetter headers on it too. If you want the whole engine or just parts let me know. It is on an engine stand in my garage just wasting away.
upstate NY

 

Where you shift has more to do with the gears in the axle, transmission, and even the tires and the camshaft's powerband. I don't know what a Tahoe has, but if the gearing is really low, you'll be shifting pretty often and won't be going too fast on the highway.

The #1 cylinder is definitely the frontmost passenger side on the 2.8 v6. #1 on any engine is the cylinder closest to the timing chain cover- which on the 2.8 is the passenger side. And yes firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

You're saying though it idles at 3,700 RPM? Did this just start happening?