Topic: strange idle
in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems
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Recently purchace a 1991 chevy truck (350 throttlebody with 4 speed auto and air). The vehicle has been modified (engine redone-tranny modified with stall converter and slap stick shifter engine has a dist with points and an external coil). Have corrected several problems but the idle is strange- 50% of the time it will idle prefect the other 50% it idles as if it had a very radicle cam installed, timing was checked and if set as a normal setting engine will not start so the timing mark is set way way advanced; also the engine acts as if it is either getting too much fuel or out of fuel(at times)at low rpm after you get it moving it runs excellent. HELP PLEASE 

Annicorvette
Lifetime member # 35
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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
annicorvette said: engine has a dist with points and an external coil![]() |
is there a reason you went with points and removed the HEI??
Purchased the truck in this condition will probably change back to HEI if the wiring is still easy to access
Annicorvette
Lifetime member # 35

Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
well i dont know enough about tbi to help you.. so ill ignore that aspect and let someone more well rounded answer it..
but you really want to get rid of those points.. the only car that should have points in the modern day is a trailer queen. they are way too inconsistent.
they can change their whole operation based on many enviromental factors, hot vs cold, humid vs dry.
i know race guys who you a modified points distrib as a mechanical trigger... but this only done until they can afford a crank trigger.
if you bought it this way.. the only situation i can think of.. is that the ignition module failed and bubba the redneck pulled the distrib out of one of the 72 gmc pickup truck on blocks in the front yard. and dropped it in.. you also want to make sure that you have a ballast resistor if your going to leave in for any period of time.. bubba may not have thought of this. and break out the dwell gauge if you have one.. make sure your points are right.
|UPDATED|6/28/2004 11:09:28 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
but you really want to get rid of those points.. the only car that should have points in the modern day is a trailer queen. they are way too inconsistent.
they can change their whole operation based on many enviromental factors, hot vs cold, humid vs dry.
i know race guys who you a modified points distrib as a mechanical trigger... but this only done until they can afford a crank trigger.
if you bought it this way.. the only situation i can think of.. is that the ignition module failed and bubba the redneck pulled the distrib out of one of the 72 gmc pickup truck on blocks in the front yard. and dropped it in.. you also want to make sure that you have a ballast resistor if your going to leave in for any period of time.. bubba may not have thought of this. and break out the dwell gauge if you have one.. make sure your points are right.
|UPDATED|6/28/2004 11:09:28 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Looks like the 4th of July my be busy changing the dist and looking for other bubba fixture. Can you believe my VETTE is up and running and i'm working on bubbas POS.
Annicorvette
Lifetime member # 35
At least if you get ticked at the POS, you can drive the Vette and Relax!
If you have that much timing advance, it may start cold but not hot. Do you notice a pattern? It will also affect the idle at different temps. Remember, if you change the timing more than a few degrees, you need to reset the fuel mix before making judgements about idle quality. It will make a difference.
If you have that much timing advance, it may start cold but not hot. Do you notice a pattern? It will also affect the idle at different temps. Remember, if you change the timing more than a few degrees, you need to reset the fuel mix before making judgements about idle quality. It will make a difference.
Former Member
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Newark, CA - USA
Joined: 4/29/2004
Posts: 350
Vette(s): 1969 Corvette 4-speed ZZ-4 crate
Monza Red
If that truck has a computer, and being a 91 it should have one....wouldn't running points with a computer screw everything up? Have never seen points on a computer motor.
Ken
Ken

Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
lost in the 60's said: If that truck has a computer, and being a 91 it should have one....wouldn't running points with a computer screw everything up? Have never seen points on a computer motor. Ken |
I guess it depends on the distributor that was originally in it.. if it is the standard vac advance hei... then it wouldnt necessarily cause any more problems than points do in general..
if its one of those new hi tech ones that have computer controlled timing.. it would..
btw.. ill be converting the 40 over to HEI tonight with that dist you sent me....
Ill let you know what happens..
Former Member
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Newark, CA - USA
Joined: 4/29/2004
Posts: 350
Vette(s): 1969 Corvette 4-speed ZZ-4 crate
Monza Red
hope it works out ok...good luck

Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
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|UPDATED|6/30/2004 9:40:15 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems
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