First, i have a 1982 Z-28 CFI.

Ok, a few months after i got my car this summer, every once in a while when i would suddenly stomp the gas, the car would drop to like 0 rpms and sound like it was backfiring, it would make a big bang, then it would smell really bad. Well over the last couple weeks, it has done it a few times, but just today and the other day, it was so bad, it killed the engine. Then after i start it, it sounds like something is knocking rapidly when i accelerate for a while. I dunno its weird.

Also, on the side note, when i first start the car after it sat for a while, and its warming up, if i go mess around, keep it in first gear (auto) and tap the throttle, it has great throttle response and seems 2x more powerful then it regularly is. I cant burnout from a stand still at normal operating temps, but when its warming up, i can roast em at 15mph easy. After it warms up, i can tap the throttle, and not feel anything for a second, it takes that long, and i could stomp the pedal (hopping it doesnt backfire) if it doesnt, i just take off, no wheel spin or anything.

Sorry for being so long, any idea's, i tried pulling codes, but my check engine light doesnt work. Electronics are kinda messed up in this car (last owner went to town cutting everythign at will).

Thanks, battery.

 

you need to check your timing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It sounds like it has come loose and is jumping around

 

My buddy tried checking it, he said it looked right. But he was not too sure, he said he couldnt find the marks or something ( i dunno how to do it ). Do you think if we pulled the distibutor cap we could find something, or do you think we should just adjust the timing and see what it does?

Because it sucks, if it had full power like on start up, this thing would run like a bat outta hell, but no, it runs like a dog.

 

when was the last time the car was fully tuned up? a clogged fuel filter is a pretty comnmon cause of backfire.
throw a good tune up with all fresh filters and ignition components adn you shoudl see an improvement.

later
tim

 

I changed the plugs, auto lite 25's, gapped at .035. Oil covered the #1 plug, even on the wire. Rest had some oil on em, but not as much. I know it burns oil under acceleration, but i doubt thats the problem. Also, i changed the fuel filter not so long ago, 3-4 months? I thought this was the problem, so i changed it. Also tonight when i was coming home from work, the car was incredibly powerful for the first couple minutes. Then it started like knocking at low rpms. like its a 3 speed auto, and it'd be in 3rd gear at like 30mph, i'd try to accelerate and it would knock until it got up to about 3rpms, and it'd be dog slow, once it gets up in rpms it stops knocking. I notice it knocks when i get on it when its cold, but if i take it easy, it wont knock once its warmed up.

One last thing, since i changed the plugs, i really dont want to put much $$ into this car, im getting rid of it. But what should i do, new dist cap, rotor and mess with the timing more?

Thanks for your help. appreciate it.

 

tht sounds a lot liek a beat distributor. there are a few things that you can freshen on teh cheap in your ignition. new cap and rotor, new pick up, and a new coil. also, if you did not replace your wires when you did the plugs a new set of them woudl eb a good idea.
all of this stuff shoudl come to around $100 and only take a few hours to install.

later
tim

 

The first thing you need to do is take those autolite's out and throw them in the trash. I used to work at advance auto parts and those are the worse pulgs you can buy. you need to get some ac delco's! I think they are r43ts.