I love my Chevy Chevette!
Posts: 1
Joined: 04/17
Posted: 04/05/17 06:15 PM
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Ok, it's not a muscle car. But I LOVE my pickup(s). In this case, a 1978 Scottsdale K10 w 350 & AT. The engine, transmission & transfer case were rebuilt before I bought this pickup. Rebuilder was an SAE-certified mechanic w 30 years' experience. He moved away & I can't find him. I'm a passable mechanic - been doing this since I was 13 & I'm a grandmother now, but I can't find a solution. Two shops have tried to find the problem I now have - it comes & goes - now long-term luck. It idles rough. It idles much rougher when engine is warm than when it's cold. As in, I drive it 1-1.5 miles & that's warm enough that not only does it idle rough, it often dies when I leave it in gear at a light or stop sign. If I put it in N, it doesn't die & the idle is faster. One shop said the vac adv is fine; one said it wasn't working. When I tested it, it was working. Found a vacuum leak in a short hose on the (Holley 600 cfm) carb; replaced the hose & plugged it - fine for awhile. (I hate Holley carbs so am rebuilding an Edelbrock 600 cfm for this engine. Have bone spurs in the L hip so someone else will probably install it. Laying on a bone spur is murder..) Replaced the wires. Replaced the spark plugs. Cleaned out the carb (several times).- never found any dirt but figured it couldn't hurt. Fuel filter is inline now, clear, fine, new. Sprayed carb cleaner 'everywhere' to try to find a vacuum leak - zip. Gas mileage is horrendous. Pickup is pitiful when it's doing the rough idle dance; fine the rest of the time. Backfires on occasion - have burned all 3 grades of good-quality gasoline - no change. Replaced HEI distributor cap, rotor, & ign coil - small improvement. Checked timing - book says 8 degrees BTDC but it won't run at all if I take it there, so right now it's at about 4. I finally gave up & timed it by ear - when it ran acceptably, I tightened it down & left it there. Then took half an hour to quit gasping at the bone spur pain.. & took it for a drive. Fine for a week or so, then back to the idle-&-sometimes-die problem. Anyone have any suggestions? It's a fun truck when it's running right.. And what little sanity I had is leaving fast. My grandkids are remarking on it! Thanks for any help..
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