It's been down for about a week now, I was sick so I couldnt even attempt checking it out. But as I pulled in it started putting and quit. Everytime I fire it up it runs for about 30 seconds kicks out some puts and dies, more gas just makes it barely hang on, it WILL DIE! my distributor is tight and adjusting it didnt help, the spark plugs are near new and I pulled them all and all of them are coated nasty thick black maybe oil on them, and they smell like fuel. The gaskets are all pretty new and manifold and valve covers, most of the outside parts, its a 350 small block on my 71. Oh yeah, and it is spitting white smoke which is never did before, and has a funny smell coming from the engine for its 30 seconds of running time. Im debating pulling everything appart or taking it to ... oh yes..... A SHOP! what a suprise for me. Someone tell me what to do! Theres a shiny six pack in it for ya muaha... thanks in advance graemlins/beers.gif

Kind of a shot in the dark,but sounds a lot like timing gear/chain time.Remove dist cap,turn engine by hand backward til rotor turns.Now turn engine forward and see how much engine turns til rotor moves.Much over about 1/4-1/2 inch,probably found malfunction.Likely it has 'jumped' a tooth or two-Jimmy

that sounds like a good shot in the dark to me, my distributor is an original so its probably taken a beating over the years, i want to go with a nice msd HEI or something of that sort. But back to my problem smile.gif I'll go pull it, would this explain black and gas smelling spark plugs? I'll get back later....

I think I found the problem. If not this then I have more than one problem going on. I pulled my dist. cap and the rest of it. The cap, i turned over and it looks all white and burned out and is partially cracked in the center, there are also a couple little chips floating around under the cap, from what , Im not sure but its obviously bad news. and the other stuff looks the same. I think im on my way to Kragen this afternoon! I wanted a new dist. anyways but now? Ahhhhh there go my bucket seats this pay check.... does this sound right?

Another shot in the dark with the white puff of smoke. I had a recent problem with Chevelle and automatic transmission. Turns out the Vacuum Solenoid (My terminology) on the tranny was bad and I was sucking in transmission fluid. Replaced the Solenoid and problem solved.

hey Tx, yeah I do have an automatic in here right now, Im bad with transmissions ill hit that next if the distributor doesnt do the trick. either way it must be replaced! It looks like toast and charcoal under the cap! Probably going to replace the head gaskets as well, Thats different than the valve cover to head gaskets right? Confuses me a tad bid, There probably the ones between the bottom portion of my heads to the block? Yeah well, Ill start with these 2 things, gaskets and dist. Hope ill be ok! Anymore ideas? graemlins/beers.gif

I would grab the nearest compression gauge and check the compression on the engine. It sounds like you have other issues besides a distributor problem.

Change the plugs, they are fuel fouled. Cleaning will not help.

Yeah I'd never clean my plugs I always toss em' and put in new ones. How did they get so filthy so fast I wonder. I Dont think it will hurt to change out my head gaskets, Ill do that tonight and hopefully put on a new distributor too. Will be a good start. Is it a pain in the ass to pull the heads? I know the manifold and valve covers and all that stuff comes up, ah crap, the exhast comes out too... ok its work smile.gif anymore ideas would be great....

You said this is a 71 chevelle?
Does this still have the points dist?
If so what is the dwell? Condition of the points?
shoot for 28-32*

Just a thought?

This ever backfire out the carb?
might also want to chech the power valve in the carb.

actually about 3 months ago when i changed out the spark plugs and all that minor stuff and adjusting the timing i got alot of backfires through the carb. the distributor is without a doubt shot, it was all burned up and crusted under the cap. But what might the backfiring in the carb mean? I only know the basics when it comes to a carb.... im pulling everything right now. Going to do a full rebuild! New cam, gaskets, HEI dist., headers. etc... when in doubt replace it all smile.gif

well out came the distributor, carb, exhaust and intake manifold, basically nothing left but the block and the heads. After everything came off I was going to pull off my exhast manifold and I jacked up the front end, the bolt was still off the oil pan after draining the oil and it seemed empty, once it hit the incline it poored water/ radiator fluid for quite sometime! I remember before someone asking if I was low on radiator fluid... eh.. i guess so, I dont think its supposed to be in with the oil! getting there though..... just an update.

Oh yeah, with the rocker arms I am wondering something. the long stems that run below them, those are push rods right? The little circular discs that somewhat plug into the block, those arent all even, a few of them are slightly raised, are they supposed to be?

Originally posted by pnutkemist:
Oh yeah, with the rocker arms I am wondering something. the long stems that run below them, those are push rods right?


Right

The little circular discs that somewhat plug into the block, those arent all even, a few of them are slightly raised, are they supposed to be?

"Lifters" - yes, that's normal,some will be up some will be down

Sounds like you have a blown head gasket or a cracked head

Might want to take the heads to a machine shop. have them checked for trueness. might have to have them milled.

The pushrods are two different lengths intake rods are the short ones,exhaust are the long ones.When you bolt the heads back on exhaust will line up with exhaust manifold.Good luck! graemlins/waving.gif

I pulled all the lower bolts on the heads and the exhaust and all that is off, one last thing im wonder... for today atleast smile.gif Do I have to pull the rocker arms to get the heads off?