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Very sluggish 1983 2.8L S10 4x4 (freshly rebuilt)

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Old 10-06-2018, 09:20 AM
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Car: 1983 Chevy S10 4x4
Engine: 2.8L V6
Transmission: 5spd WCT5
Axle/Gears: 411
Very sluggish 1983 2.8L S10 4x4 (freshly rebuilt)

Newly rebuilt engine. New Pistons, heads, Edelbrock 3790 cam kit, timing gears & chain, distributor, carb. Rings & bearings, and headers.
Did proper break in, and drove it about 2mi.
It took for ever to get up to 55mph and it acts like it won't go any faster. Had more pickup before rebuild when only running on 5 cylinders. Initial valve adjustment on engine stand was "0" lash then 1/2 turn more as per Edelbrock instructions. Timing at 8 before TDC.
Starts right up, and idles smoothly without touching accelerator. What are your thoughts on not enough lifter preload?
Old 10-06-2018, 09:27 AM
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Re: Very sluggish 1983 2.8L S10 4x4 (freshly rebuilt)

Sorry guys & girls i didn't realize this was a Camero forum.
Although some Cameros came with the very same engine.
Any help would still be appreciated.
thanks
Old 10-08-2018, 05:45 AM
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Re: Very sluggish 1983 2.8L S10 4x4 (freshly rebuilt)

I'd assume it's the same, but on the F bodys the base timing is 10 degrees BTDC. I'd try adjusting the timing somewhere between 10-12.
Old 10-08-2018, 06:35 AM
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Re: Very sluggish 1983 2.8L S10 4x4 (freshly rebuilt)

I'll try that
thanks
Old 10-09-2018, 08:58 AM
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Re: Very sluggish 1983 2.8L S10 4x4 (freshly rebuilt)

what break in oil did you use?
Old 10-09-2018, 09:18 AM
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Re: Very sluggish 1983 2.8L S10 4x4 (freshly rebuilt)

Cam2 10/w30 plus Lucas oil stabilizer
Old 10-09-2018, 10:27 AM
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Re: Very sluggish 1983 2.8L S10 4x4 (freshly rebuilt)

hopefully it has high zinc like these flat tappets need.
Old 10-09-2018, 10:45 AM
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Re: Very sluggish 1983 2.8L S10 4x4 (freshly rebuilt)

Camaro, not Camero
Old 10-09-2018, 10:50 AM
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Re: Very sluggish 1983 2.8L S10 4x4 (freshly rebuilt)

Originally Posted by scooter
Camaro, not Camero
yeah i see it spelled in for sale ads incorrectly more often than correctly.
Old 10-09-2018, 12:33 PM
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Re: Very sluggish 1983 2.8L S10 4x4 (freshly rebuilt)

Originally Posted by WhiskeySierra6
yeah i see it spelled in for sale ads incorrectly more often than correctly.
Me too, still doesn't make it right, lol
Old 10-09-2018, 01:22 PM
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Re: Very sluggish 1983 2.8L S10 4x4 (freshly rebuilt)

Originally Posted by WhiskeySierra6
hopefully it has high zinc like these flat tappets need.
Good point, I found that out the hard way before I swapped my cam in my 3.4, that oils didn't come with that anymore. It's not really a well known thing unless you're up on your oils.
Old 10-09-2018, 03:54 PM
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Re: Very sluggish 1983 2.8L S10 4x4 (freshly rebuilt)

Originally Posted by drdave88
Good point, I found that out the hard way before I swapped my cam in my 3.4, that oils didn't come with that anymore. It's not really a well known thing unless you're up on your oils.
yes, and many of those who are up on it still think rotella has enough zinc in it but it doesn't anymore.
Old 10-19-2018, 02:03 PM
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Re: Very sluggish 1983 2.8L S10 4x4 (freshly rebuilt)

Would love to help but I don't know anything about the carb set up lol how's the carb set ? Fuel pressure and metering, and how the advance on the dizzy is so controlled ? Vacuum ?
Old 10-22-2018, 06:48 AM
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Re: Very sluggish 1983 2.8L S10 4x4 (freshly rebuilt)

The carb is a Reman. 2bbl verajet, new mechanical fuel pump, (5-7psi)? Vacuum advance dist,
readjusted valve lash ( 1-1/2 turns after "0" lash) engine perked up some, but not where it should be.
thanks.
Old 10-22-2018, 08:43 AM
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Re: Very sluggish 1983 2.8L S10 4x4 (freshly rebuilt)

You can check the cam from the pushrod rocker movement, just in case . I'd check the comp ratio ? After a rebuild ? Def bump the timing maybe the dizzy isn't acting how it should ? Just some ideas.
Old 10-23-2018, 07:15 AM
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Re: Very sluggish 1983 2.8L S10 4x4 (freshly rebuilt)

Will do, I'll try that
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